Meanwhile, leaders of Integrity, the church's gay-rights caucus, say between 10 and 40 percent of Episcopal clergy are gay, lesbian or bisexual and that 42 or more bishops have ordained noncelibate homosexuals. The bishops who filed the presentment against Righter knew the odds were against them, said Bishop James Stanton of Dallas. A parish priest took a similar step on Feb. 24 to test the status of doctrine out in the heartland. Many accused Freeman of having a hidden agenda because he focused on sex outside of marriage, instead of homosexuality. Everyone knows that homosexuality is a big issue, but that's not the only issue.
Marriage is the real issue.
The victors said the law was redundant. It's an ecclesiastical Catch-22. Righter's supporters say it's acceptable to ordain noncelibate homosexuals because the national church lacks a canon law that clearly establishes enforceable doctrine. Then strategists in this camp argue against the passage of canon laws on marriage and sex, saying they are redundant. Terry Mattingly teaches communications at Milligan College in Tennessee.