Editor's Note:  Bishop Wimberly's responses were copied directly from the Diocese of Texas website in anticipation of the fact that they will one day choose to update the text on those particular web pages and we would then lose the contents of his original messages.  If you wish to view the messages on the Diocesan website (for as long as they are posted there), please click on the appropriate links below.

October 17, 2003

Statement from the Rt. Rev. Don A. Wimberly, Bishop of Texas in response to the meeting of Anglican Primates

I deeply appreciate the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury in convening this meeting and the commitment of the Primates to take counsel together for the good of the entire Anglican Communion. They have articulated the complexity of the issues confronting the Church with the impending consecration of Canon Gene Robinson.

It is my belief that the consequences of proceeding with Canon Robinson's consecration would significantly damage the Anglican Communion and undermine the work of the Church around the world. It is my hope that Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold will decide not to proceed with this consecration in defiance of the leadership of the Communion.

The Primates' proposal to establish a commission to help resolve matters of profound disagreement is a hopeful step in maintaining the unity of the Church. They also recognize that time is needed to find our way through these challenges and I encourage your patience and prayer as we engage the process.

August 11, 2003

Pastoral Letter from Bishop Wimberly:

August 11, 2003

To my Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Grace to you and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

I write to you with a heavy heart as I return from General Convention. Controversial decisions and the reaction to these decisions profoundly illustrate that we are not of one mind in the church on matters of human sexuality.

Throughout our diocese there have been differing responses to the two issues which dominated General Convention and the news media: the consent to the consecration of the Rev. Canon V. Gene Robinson as bishop-coadjutor of New Hampshire and the adoption of resolution C051, which acknowledged that same sex blessings can be considered to be “within the bounds of our common life.”

Some of you may be angered or feel alienated by these decisions or by the way our deputation and I voted (against consenting to Canon Robinson’s consecration as bishop and against C051).

As your bishop, I wish to state clearly that I will not allow the blessing of same sex unions in the Diocese of Texas. Additionally, I will not ordain or license for ordained ministry any person living in a sexual relationship other than a sacramental marriage between a man and a woman. I believe this to be consistent with both the traditional teaching of the church and our diocesan canons. I realize that some of you will disagree with my position.

When I was consecrated a bishop almost twenty years ago, I promised to guard the faith, unity and discipline of the church, and I am being as faithful to that vow as I know how to be. It is my prayer that we will be a community of transformation and a hospitable church for all people, remembering our baptismal vow to respect the dignity of every human being.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams recognizes the gravity of these recent developments and has called for an extraordinary meeting of the 38 primates of the Anglican Communion. Many of these primates have issued statements critical of the actions taken by General Convention. Our Church is facing a significant challenge to our common life. In light of this challenge, I am in conversation with other American bishops who are requesting a meeting with Archbishop Williams to seek his guidance and wisdom. While others have decided to ask for counsel from particular primates of the Communion, I believe the Archbishop of Canterbury’s office is the only proper avenue through which we can address these matters and concerns. In these challenging times, I humbly ask for your prayers and patience as we seek God’s will for our Church.

Like Paul, I ask “you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”

Our strength is in our adherence to Christ’s call to us to be a holy people bound to him and one another for the redemption of the world. Please understand that we are engaging in a process that will take time and don’t allow media reports to determine your faith life. Be patient and faithful in your prayers.

In the Diocese of Texas we are clearly committed to be a missionary church engaged in the transformation of lives. Nothing has changed in our call to live into this vision. In our congregations, lives are being transformed, changed, enriched and made new, and this must continue. I urge you to support this holy calling through your continued attendance, active participation and prayer.

As much as I would like to offer an easy solution to these matters, our community is facing a challenge we cannot resolve quickly. Even in the darkest times of my life I have always been aware of God’s presence and power. I feel this now. I believe that God will ultimately bring us to wholeness and joy, and I promise you my most faithful efforts in the journey that we share.

God’s special blessing be upon each of you,

Faithfully yours,

The Right Reverend Don A. Wimberly, D.D.