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the Episcopal Church in America, in lifting the de facto moratorium on the ordination of lesbian and gay clergy candidates and the election of openly lesbian and gay bishops.
Metropolitan Community Churches has enjoyed a long and mutual relationship with the Episcopal Church in America. In MCC's founding years when MCC congregations were often turned away by other communities of faith, it was often local Episcopal churches that provided a place for MCC members to gather for worship and community.
Rev. Nancy L. Wilson, MCC moderator, addressed this significant vote by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church to open "any ordained ministry" to lesbians and gays. Her statement and remarks follow:
"This is a courageous and timely vote from the Episcopal Church in America. It was clear that the moratorium on the ordination of gay clergy and the election of gay bishops made no one happy. This is an authentic move by this denomination at this time in history.
"Because of their global ties in the Anglican Communion, this will have a long term and global impact: While the Episcopal Church in America may well experience a short-term backlash from some quarters, this action will serve the Church's long-term health as it becomes a fully welcoming place for all God's children. The Episcopal Church has already paid a great price for standing up to religiously-based homophobia and sexism, and now has positioned itself to be a much needed global leader in the spiritual value of inclusion, in which Jesus and justice are inextricably connected."
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