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Statement of Privilege
to the House of Bishops by the
Rt. Rev. Victor A. Scantlebury, Assistant Bishop of Chicago
Affirmed by the Rt. Rev. William D. Persell, Bishop of Chicago
 August
6, 2003
Yesterday
this body made the decision to approve the election of the Canon Gene Robinson
that made some members of this house very unhappy. I want those bishops to know
that I share their pain and unhappiness, because they are persons I love very
much.
The vote yesterday was not about winners and losers, conservatives and liberals,
who is right or who is wrong. For me it was an indication of God's people,
members of the Episcopal Church, attempting to discern God's will.
The vote yesterday indicated also how divided this church is on the matter of
human sexuality. Yesterday we heard both in this house and in the news media
that this action may promote defection from the church.
As bishops, we have the responsibility to work toward the oneness of Christ's
church and not to be obstacles to life in grace and unity. We need to engage in
educating our members to understand how decisions are made in a democratic
system within the Episcopal Church. In our sinfulness, we will always discern
God's will differently, but our love in Christ should keep us together to learn
from each other. No group or body has the whole truth.
I encourage all of us to fix our attention on the cross of Christ, a symbol of
God's love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The vote yesterday and the
emotional after-effect of the vote indicate that we need to pray for each other,
love, forgive, and be reconciled with each other, in order to respond to
Christ's prayer: "I pray that they may be one, as I and the Father are one."
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God, neighbor and enemy. 
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