The Evangelical Fellowship
for Lesbian and Gay Christians

A coalition of inclusive Christian groups, including Evangelical Fellowship, issued a press release concerning the consecration of two women bishops in Los Angeles.

The press release is as follows:-

The LGBT Anglican Coalition rejoices that Diane Bruce and Mary Glasspool will be consecrated as bishops in Los Angeles on the 15th May.

The Revd Diane Bruce and the Revd Mary Glasspool were each elected by large majorities of the laity, clergy and bishops of the Diocese of Los Angeles. Subsequently, their elections were confirmed by clear majorities, both of the bishops with jurisdiction in The Episcopal Church of the United States and of the standing committees of that church’s dioceses.

We rejoice that two more women will become bishops in the Anglican communion. We send them our congratulations and welcome them as bishops with the many gifts that each will bring to the church.

We are deeply sorry that the reaction from some within the Church of England to the election of Mary Glasspool has been negative.

A great many people within the Church of England are unequivocally supportive of The Episcopal Church in being open to the election of bishops without regard to gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation. We pray that the Communion at large will grow in confidence and maturity, so that it can learn to celebrate both those things which hold us together and those things over which we disagree.

We agree with the Chicago Consultation that:

“As a bishop, she is no threat to the work of God, or to Jesus’ commandment that we love our neighbour as ourselves.”

Honouring the relationships and ministries of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Christians, is, in the end, the only way in which the Anglican Communion can be faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We hope that the whole Anglican Communion will come to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity we have among us.

We endorse the recent words of Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori addressed to the primates of the Anglican Communion concerning Mary Glasspool’s election and confirmation:

“It represents a prayerful and thoughtful decision, made in good faith that this Church is ‘working out its salvation in fear and trembling, believing that God is at work in us’ (Philippians 2:1213).”

Notes for Editors

1. The Anglican Coalition is here to provide UK-based Christian LGBT organisations with opportunities to create resources for the Anglican community and to develop a shared voice for the full acceptance of LGBT people in the Anglican Communion.

2. The Coalition members are:

Accepting Evangelicals
www.acceptingevangelicals.org

Changing Attitude
www.changingattitude.org.uk

The Clergy Consultation
www.clergyconsultation.org

Courage
www.courage.org.uk

The Evangelical Fellowship for Lesbian and Gay Christians
www.eflgc.org.uk

Inclusive Church
www.inclusivechurch2.net

The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement
www.lgcm.org.uk

The Sibyls
www.sibyls.co.uk

3. For more information contact: Revd Canon Giles Goddard 07762 373 674 or the LGBT Anglican Coalition Website www.lgbtac.org.uk

Dated: 7th May 2010