Posted on: Saturday, October 30, 2004

Episcopal convention opens here

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer

When 160 Episcopalians get together, what do they talk about? A lot, it seems, as the Hawai'i diocese's 36th annual convention opened yesterday with a record number of 21 resolutions before the group.

The assembly considered financing joint efforts with other faiths and denominations, increasing priests' compensation and the annual budget. Also considered: a feasibility study on whether the diocese can afford to help seminarians with financial aid, and a proposal to rename a seniors award.

When it came to the last issue, Nancy Au of Salt Lake got a laugh when she told the crowd she simply didn't like the idea that the recipients 65 and older "are being called ancient." The name of the award had been Makule E Akamai but it's now Kupuna Akamai.

That and the other measures passed, by the way.

Delegates representing Episcopal churchgoers throughout the Islands reconvene today to consider issues that are more contentious — namely, several resolutions that arrived in the fallout of last summer's ratification of Gene Robinson, an openly gay man, as New Hampshire's bishop.

Originally, four resolutions on the local agenda were up for discussion by the assembly, addressing — indirectly or directly — the issue that is dividing the Anglican Church, the global body to which the national Episcopal Church and Hawai'i diocese belong.

Last week, a group in London created by the head of the Anglican church issued a report condemning the blessing of same-sex marriages in Canada, as well as Robinson's appointment.

Yesterday, 113 lay people and 47 clergy met at St. Andrew's Cathedral's Tenney Theatre to hear about appointments and reports by committees — the regular stuff of annual church meetings. Timing of the discussion left the bigger questions raised by Robinson's election as bishop until today, when the convention continues at the Sheraton Waikiki.

Two of the original four resolutions on the issue have been withdrawn, but the two authors each left one still on the agenda.

Specifically, they're asking their fellow Episcopalians to write a report on why the delegates who attended Robinson's confirmation proceedings voted the way they did, in favor of Robinson.

The other resolution requires that "Hawai'i diocesan actions be consistent" with Scripture. Critics of Robinson's elevation have said that same-sex unions are contrary to Scripture.

Other topics include encouraging mission and ministry accountability, streamlining of church structures, embracing holy habits of stewardship and examining the viability of congregations.

The Rt. Rev. Richard S.O. Chang, bishop of the diocese, addressed the convention as part of the evening worship service. The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i is one of the smallest dioceses in the Episcopal Church, with about 6,000 members in 40 congregations.

Reach Mary Kaye Ritz at mritz@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8035.