INTEGRITY WELCOMES ELECTION OF MARY GLASSPOOL AS SECOND OPENLY GAY PARTNERED BISHOP IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

December 5, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INTEGRITY WELCOMES ELECTION OF MARY GLASSPOOL AS SECOND OPENLY GAY PARTNERED BISHOP IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Urges Confirmation by Bishops & Standing Committees

Riverside, CA--"Integrity salutes the election of the Reverend Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool as a bishop suffragan in the Diocese of Los Angeles, and as the second openly gay partnered bishop in the Episcopal Church." said Integrity President David Norgard. "Bishop-elect Glasspool brings to the diocese her experience of building strong congregations by providing pastoral care, vocational guidance, and support to clergy and their families. She brings to the House of Bishops her commitment to social justice. And she will bring to the Anglican Communion an incarnational witness to the Episcopal Church’s commitment to fully include all of the baptized into the Body of Christ. " 

"It takes both a courageous candidate and a courageous community to fully embrace inclusion and to be prepared for the public attention this historic opportunity offers the Episcopal Church and the United States of America at this time," said Norgard. "Today’s election means the Episcopal Church has taken another step toward the full inclusion of all the baptized in all the sacraments becoming a reality in the Episcopal Church--not just a resolution of General Convention.

"As Episcopalians, we are proud of the historic links between the founders of our church and the uniquely American democratic process that influences our church polity. We are very different from the Church of England and the Church of Rome, and we rejoice that lay members are valued for their significant role in the choosing of our leadership, and empowered to stand as radical witnesses that can heal past discrimination and prejudice.

"Integrity now calls upon Standing Committees and Bishops with jurisdiction to claim that proud history and consent to today’s election. For now, we pause to rejoice in this election. This is a big day for California, for their bishop-elect and, for the whole Church."

Integrity is the leading grassroots voice for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons in the Episcopal Church.

Media Contact

Louise Brooks, Communication Director

lebrooks@earthlink.net

626-993-4605 (mobile)