You Go, Los Angeles!

Congratulations to the Bishop-elect Reverend Canon Mary D. Glasspool, who prevailed in the vote as the second Bishop Suffragan in the Diocese of Los Angeles. It took seven ballots (a Biblical perfect number, eh?) to arrive at the election of the second partnered and out gay person to be elevated to the episcopate. Glasspool, in accepting the news of her election, issued a statement that started with acknowledging that there were others in the "other" category also being considered for the post:

"Gracias con todo mi corazon. I am not unaware of the many complicated dynamics that have been part of the election--and I want to acknowledge them. Any group of people who have been oppressed because of any one, isolated aspect yearns for justice and equal rights. My own heart has been stressed deeply today. To Martir (Vasquez of Hawthorne, CA), I honor you and pledge you my ongoing love and support. To my Latino and Hispanic brothers and sisters, I say we're all in this together. We are all working to bring forward the reign of God on earth. So thank you with all my heart."

Glasspool has been the Canon to the Ordinary in Maryland, and has served in rich and poor parishes throughout her career in the priesthood. Her election makes her the first openly-gay person to be selected for the episcopate since New Hampshire elected Bishop Gene Robinson in 2003. The Episcopal Church, and the Anglican Communion, have been fumbling and bumbling their way toward acceptance of the simple fact that God will ALWAYS call whomever God wants to the ministry in the Church... and that means LGBT people, too. Some refuse to believe this... and thus, we've endured years and years of struggle with issues of human sexuality. The Diocese of Los Angeles, considered by some to be the most liberal, doesn't seem to be wrestling as much as others. And so it is no surprise to see them arrive at this decision.

The Los Angeles Times is already framing this vote as the first TEST since our General Convention this summer of the newly-adopted D025, the resolution which has allowed dioceses to once more consider LGBT candidates for the episcopate (there had been a moratorium since 2006). In fact, Minnesota did have an openly-gay candidate in the pool. So while LA is the first to act, others have been willing to at least consider gay candidates. Still, the media frenzy that is likely to begin will center solely on her sexual orientation. May God grant her grace and patience as she fields their questions, some designed to provoke her into a fight.

She still must gain the consent of Standing Committees and Bishops. One hopes they will not stand in the way of this election. Seven ballots, again that perfect number, tell you how carefully the lay and clergy electors were considering all kinds of factors in picking this woman. She seems to bring skills of pastoral care and a heart for social justice that will make her a valuable contributor to the loyal order of Purple Shirts.

Let her in, let her in, let her in.