Pastoral Letter to the parishes of
The Diocese of East Tennessee
August 6, 2003

The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
III Bishop of the Diocese of East Tennessee

Dear Friends, On Tuesday, August 5, the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops voted to concur with the House of Deputies in consenting to the election of the Reverend Canon V. Gene Robinson as bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire.

Canon Robinson is an openly gay priest who has served in that diocese for more than twenty years. He also is someone that I have known for nearly forty years - since we were freshmen at the University of the South, Sewanee. Canon Robinson has served the church and that diocese well as a priest, a teacher and a pastor. There is no doubt that the Diocese of New Hampshire knew who it is that they were electing and that they selected Gene Robinson as their clear choice.

In spite of this information - and after much prayer and considerable personal agony - I voted not to consent to Canon Robinson's election. My decision actually had almost nothing to do with now Bishop-elect Robinson himself. Rather, I had two other reasons for the decision I made.

In the first place, East Tennessee - along with many other dioceses - has maintained the policy of refusing to ordain people who are involved in sexual relationships outside marriage since that policy was stated in a General Convention resolution years ago. As bishop, I have continued that diocesan policy, which had been in place long before I arrived in the diocese. Therefore, I did not feel that I could vote with integrity about this matter of consent to an ordination in any way other than in the negative.

In the second place, I voted not to consent because of my concern about the potential costs to the church I love. At my ordination and consecration as bishop, I vowed to uphold the unity of the church. From my perspective, the matter of consent to the election in New Hampshire posed a serious threat to church unity, and therefore, again, I voted in the negative. However, now the church in General Convention has spoken. Consent to New Hampshire's election has indeed been given.

Convention will continue to meet for several more days. We will continue to pray to God for guidance and to respond as faithfully as we can to the many opportunities for mission and ministry before us. And the work of God in the world will continue to call us.

When Gene Robinson is presented for seating in the House of Bishops later today, I will rise and applaud in welcome. I will serve with him as a bishop of this church. The House of Bishops will be enriched by his considerable gifts. And the God of compassion and justice will continue to call us.

As Episcopalians, we will face challenges to our church in days to come. The secular world, other denominations and members of the Anglican Communion will question what we have done in Minneapolis. Some people will want to focus our energies on one event that has claimed a great deal of media attention in recent days. However, even though this moment surely requires conversation and careful response, our attention to God's mission must not be unduly diverted.

It is God who loves the world, who intervened in history to save the world, and who has empowered us to serve the world in the name of Jesus Christ. And that same God continues to call us for the sake of the world that God loves.

I assure you of my prayers on your behalf. Please pray for me as well.