VOLUME • 68 NUMBER • 9 SEPTEMBER 1985 publication. and reuse for required

Permission AIDS: DFMS. / THE Church PLAGUE Episcopal the THAT of

Archives LAYS

2020. WASTE

Copyright AT NOON

JOHN FORTUNATO Letters

point guns at small children, yet this too newspaper, the police are just plain Police act warranted is necessary as the police try to freeze all reckless. I have just received your June issue and activity in the smoky darkness and con- Is it simply because Dolores Langford would like to commend you and your fusion so that they don't inadvertently and her sons are "untrained" in the layout artists who make the magazine shoot someone except when absolutely tactics of the police that they exper- especially pleasant to read. The articles necessary. Ironically, there is a godly ienced terror during the ram incident? Or are timely and well written and are an attitude behind all of that ungodly terror! does terror follow when your house invaluable tool in my efforts to develop The ACLU, NAACP and religious shakes, grenades explode, guns point at well-informed opinions on the issues leaders do have a point in protesting you and you can't breathe — no matter facing myself and my congregation. The Police Chief Daryl Gates' media party. who you are? writers may, by and large, be playing out

publication. To invite the media to record a police Cocaine has surely made its way into in left field, but I think they're still in the action where guns and grenades are middle class and wealthy neighborhoods, and ball park. involved is nothing short of insane, es- but the tank won't. When it's only "those I would like to comment on Joan pecially where safety is the motive for people" who live "there" who are at risk, reuse Howarth's police tank article. She re- the action. Reckless endangerment is not the risk seems acceptable. If the police for ferred to "unwarranted" suspicion that what the police did to the house or mistakenly rammed through Rev. Ax- led the LAPD to batter their way into a people, but what they did to the media berg's living room wall where his children suspected drug site. The use of the word representatives. The chief also risked an were playing, he might be as shocked required "unwarranted" is misleading. The po- information leak that could have fore- and angered by their tactics as the un- lice entered the premises on the au- warned drug dealers who may have been initiated and the untrained. (All the thority of a search warrant obtained in the house under investigation. police would need to justify the warrant from a judge. Warrants are not obtained Permission The Rev. Keith F. Axberg is an unidentified informer accusing him on a police officer's whim, but are issued of narcotics activity.) when the police produce sufficient ev- Colville, Wash. The Fourth Amendment of the Con- DFMS. idence to convince the judge that a crime / has been or is being committed by a Howarth responds stitution prohibits unreasonably dangerous specific person in a specific place. The searches and seizures. A search warrant The police do have a difficult and im- is just that — a warrant to search — not Church warrant does not guarantee the police portant job in keeping drug trafficking permission to destroy a home and ter- will find who or what they are looking out of our neighborhoods. The goal of for, but it does help guarantee that the rorize the occupants. The LAPD had no both the police and the community is to judicial authorization for the tank and

Episcopal search or arrest will not be frivolous. create an environment where children grenades, and no knowledge of who was the What Howarth neglected in her report can grow up in safety without the threat inside at the time of the attack. The use of of the incident, when she focused on the of wanton violence. The "five terrified of a tank and a battering ram on the home five terrified occupants of the premises, occupants" described in the article are of an unarmed and unwarned family is was that the police were simply trying to the very people the LAPD are here to unreasonably dangerous, and we fer- Archives put a dent in the drug trade that destroys protect. vently believe that free citizens must thousands of lives and homes. To the How strange that Keith Axberg can never be trained to think otherwise. 2020. untrained, the tactics of the LAPD may fear for the safety of the press — who Joan Howarth, ACLU seem reckless and destructive, but they were present at the incident voluntarily Los Angeles, Cal. are designed specifically to save the lives and outside the zone of attack — but not

Copyright of both police and suspects, as well as for the safety of the innocent women and saving the evidence. children who were taken by surprise as From awshucks school It is precisely the terror of crashing the objects of the raid. It is sure good to see St. Paul's letters battering rams and exploding stun gren- In that system of justice, once you are being edited and refined by Abbie Jane ades that disorients heavily armed drug in a location where police suspect Wells of Alaska ("Witness author pens dealers (as well as women and children) criminal activity, it is the "godly at- a book," June issue). John Wayne long enough for the police to move in and titude" of the LAPD that leads to en- couldn't have done better. It looks to me control the situation. It may seem dangerment of your life; but if you are like she's up to being the Artemus Ward strange to the uninitiated for police to endangered because you work for a of Contemporary Criticism: a champion who can cut through the intellectual sometimes what it doesn't but would the Gospel — or Paul — as there are complexity of Paul's ideas — ideas which have if the right folks had been there to people to do it. Likewise, there are as have led to Luther's mischief as well as put it all down. many ways to "interpret" what I have John XXIII — and show it up for the The Rev. John A. Bright written as there will be people to read it. crotchety chauvinistic superficiality it is. San Francisco, Cal. The debate over human interpretations Not since Thomas Jefferson rewrote the Bible or since Ronald Reagan took on of Scripture will continue unabated as the abortionists, flayed opponents of long as humanity lives — and long may it school prayer and exposed the lazy poor, Wells responds live. Which it won't if we don't rid the has the awshucks, shoe-shuffle school of If the Rev. John A. Bright "can find that earth of nuclear weapons of indiscrim- inate and immeasurable destruction. publication. open-eyed mawkery been used to such much to criticize in the one-column stimulating effect. It's just too bad St. "Contradictions" excerpt from my book, Abbie Jane Wells and Paul isn't around to take his medicine: he's going to have a field day when, or if, Juneau, Alaska Boy! would she make him look silly in a he reads the whole thing! As for his "like reuse TV debate!

for something Paul might have said while Of course, some might want to argue a talking to James and Peter and making couple of things — like when she says them a little more liberal," I can find no Worship inspires poem The occasion which "inspired" the fol- required Jesus liked the way a child accepts faith, place in any of the four Gospels where by which she interprets him to mean we lowing poem was a Sunday morning Jesus said to James or Peter or anyone, worship service which included the old should be childish. Confused old Paul, "Now, listen here; there's gonna come she says, wants us to put away childish standby, "Onward Christian Soldiers."

Permission along a man named Paul and he's gonna things and be mature — a word Jesus As a member of a fairly progressive also uses. Also, she suggests an in- have the last word on everything. Y'all congregation, especially in matters of listen to him, you hear?" (By the same peace and nuclear freeze, I am con-

DFMS. teresting idea about who wrote the gospels / and why: saying that they were penned token, I can find no place where Jesus stantly frustrated by our tolerance for by authors who were closer to the source says, "There's gonna come along a wom- music with bad theology. A recent lecture by Walter Bruggeman suggested the use Church than Paul who didn't always get things an named Abbie Jane Wells, ditto, ditto, straight. "Getting the story straight and ditto!") But I can find where Jesus said of the psalm form to creatively grieve putting it down as we know it" sounds Peter was the rock upon which he would personal loss. This is my result: strangely like something Paul might have Episcopal found his church. Could it be that, ac- said, maybe while talking to James and Upward not onward

the cording to Jesus, it was Peter rather than Peter and making them a little more of Paul the early church should have The songs of my youth torment me liberal by pointing out the internal in- listened to? My fathers' hymns chill my bones consistencies in their Judaistic approach and kill my spirit. In Bright's "Jesus liked the way a Archives to gentiles and, for all we know, to The kindness of God and God's justice women, to whom Paul seems to have child accepts faith, by which she in- are hid from my eyes. A sword and breastplate blind me 2020. accorded inordinate respect. terprets him to mean we should be and hinder my access to my God. I only hope when I get to read her book childish," he assumes too much, for I interpret him to mean child-like, not Your battle cry drowns out I'll also find her poking a little fun at the celebration of my hope. Copyright Jesus — like when He finds out Peter's childish. There is a difference. Bright Why should I march mother-in-law is sick so He goes and reads Paul through a man's eyes and when I've just learned to dance? cures her so she can get up and make experience while I read him through a The beauty of God's adoration Him dinner. It's about time we got the woman's and his "women, to whom Paul deserves more than an army review. Gospel written out and applied by some- seems to have accorded inordinate re- I will not settle for drum rolls one who doesn't have any axe to grind: spect," I see as inordinate oppression, if when I have knowledge of Angel songs. who only wants to show us what we not downright disrespect. uncomplicated folk all know; namely, Elsie L. Dursi the Bible means simply what it says and There are as many ways to interpret Youngstown, Ohio Editorial

Hungering for peace

30-day fast for peace and an end Garcia and the Rev. Jim Feltz. Feltz, a Genara Cerna, whose husband was publication. to U.S. aggression completed recently diocesan priest, is originally from Mich- killed in a contra attack. She is the orga-

and by Miguel D'Escoto, foreign minister of igan. Much of his time is spent retrieving nizer of a women's baking cooperative. Nicaragua, is remarkable in many ways. bodies for burial. He has been detained Said Jim Feltz, when his people say reuse Not the least of these is that one hardly by the contras 12 times. In a recent that members of their family were "killed," for expects to find a government official in a episode, he and Sister Dulcinia, while it is almost a euphemism for the multi- cabinet post undertaking such a religious visiting their people on muleback, were lated, tortured bodies he brings back for act — especially the chancellor of a country robbed and held for a time. Upon release burial. Such was the caliber of the people required Ronald Reagan calls "communist." they were told by the contras that they who joined the fast with their chancellor. But this chancellor is unique. A Mary- should stop "spreading communism." On a parallel fast with D'Escoto's knoll priest, he takes the Bible and his By attending the Leon event, they were nine women and one man who were Permission Christian ministry seriously. were in effect, defying the contras, whom fasting at International Red Cross head- they would have to pass through on their To some 10,000 Nicaraguan Chris- quarters for the return of their children

DFMS. return home — on roads that have been who had been kidnapped by the contras. / tians assembled in the city of Leon to mined and where travelers have been celebrate the sixth anniversary of the The thought struck our fasting ecu- ambushed. What is the nature of the faith Sandinista revolution, he sent this menical delegation more than once: Church of these missionaries, and the people message: Christians who live in the United States they accompanied? who are well fed, well clothed, well "I urge you to fast and pray together, Here is a brief description of a few housed have become numb to this kind of Episcopal in the churches, in your homes and other women in the group of 80, all of whom suffering produced by the Rambo mind- the places. It will be a fast that goes hand-in- had fasted one day during the trip, uniting of set of the Reagan administration. hand with community reflection, in which their intentions with the foreign minister: we think about prophetic ways of de- Susanna Perez, whose husband, a The period of prayer and fasting initi- nouncing the crimes of imperialism. If ated by Nicaragua's foreign minister is

Archives noted lay leader in the area, was one of we do not commit ourselves to using the first to be killed by the contras. She aptly prescribed that we not become peaceful methods, we become accom- further accomplices in these crimes which 2020. has 11 children, and was pregnant with plices to those crimes." the last when her husband was killed. cause so much human misery. The ecumenical delegation from the Susanna took his place as a "delegate of What more can we do? Monitor Con-

Copyright United States, including THE WIT- the word." She is an organizer of the gressional legislation in the fall; support NESS editor, who participated briefly in women's sewing co-op; most of its mem- Witness for Peace and humanitarian aid the fast with D'Escoto, had a chance to bers are widows from contra attacks. efforts of the American Friends, the meet some of the Christians who heard Maria Alarcon, whose two brothers Quixote Center, Church Women United; those words. were ambushed by the contras. She is a become active in the Pledge of Resistance Eighty of them had come from the war cultural organizer and a poet who lives in — anything to convince the President — zone, accompanied by Sister Dulcinia the mountains. no more "Guns of August." THE WITNESS

EDITOR Mary Lou Suhor

SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Robert L DeWitt

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Richard W. Gillett Carter Neyward publication. Manning Marable and J. Antonio Ramos ftp reuse

for STAFF Ann Hunter Susan Small required Table of Contents

PUBLISHER AIDS: The plague that lays waste at noon Episcopal Church Publishing Company 6 John Fortunato Permission Requiem for an AIDS victim Domenic Ciannella DFMS. ECPC BOARD OF DIRECTORS 10 / Fasting with the foreign minister CHAIR H. Coleman McGehee Mary Lou Suhor Church 12 VICE-CHAIR A second look at the First Beatitude Kwasi Thornelt 18 Nathan Williams Episcopal SECRETARY On being a gay priest the Gloria Brown of 20 Zalmon Sherwood TREASURER Carman SL J. Hunter Therefore choose life

Archives 22 Anne Gilson ASSISTANT TREASURER Robert N. Eckersley 2020. Otis Charles Migdalia DeJesus-Torres

Copyright Robert F. Ellsworth Steven Guerra Cover graphic by Robert McGovern, design by Beth Seka; graphic p. 5, James Lewis Robert McGovern; graphic p. 10, Tom Jackson; photos Nicaragua fast story, Mary Lou J. Antonio Ramos Suhor. Chester L Talton Chris Weiss

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE WITNESS is published monthly. Editorial office: P.O. Box 359, Ambler, PA 19002. Phone Barbara C. Harris (215)643-7067. Subscription rates $12 per year. $1 per copy. THE WITNESS is indexed in the American Theological Library Association's Religion Index One: Periodicals. Copyright 1985 by the Episcopal Church Publishing Company. Printed in U.S.A. ISSN 0197-8896. AIDS: The plague publication. and that lays waste reuse for at noon required by John Fortunato Permission DFMS. / Church

Episcopal ReLecently, a gay friend of mine named sardonic grin and the words, "Do you there are tens of thousands of people the Michael attended a large reception in know what the best thing about AIDS "out there" who hate us, who are over- of Chicago. He was standing, wine glass in is?" Michael, caught off guard, gave him joyed about AIDS, who are chuckling as hand, surrounded by festal din, talking the straight line, "No, what?" The man's we are dying; tens of thousands of fine,

Archives with a gay friend. The conversation grin widened. "It's always fatal," he said upstanding American citizens who are turned to AIDS — Acquired Immune icily, and walked off. rooting for the virus that is killing us.

2020. Deficiency Syndrome. A man standing AIDS is a terrible disease for those Even worse, both in the United States nearby turned around. He was short, who get it. But it is terrible as well for and abroad, we are being blamed by obese, and balding — a man in his 50's. those of us who are gay who — at least so many for every case of AIDS that de- Copyright Uninvited, and clearly having eaves- far — haven't gotten it. Not only be- velops in the "straight" community. One dropped, he intruded with a tight-lipped, cause we now live dreading that today result of this scapegoating is that "fag- we too will wake up with night sweats or bashing" has increased at an alarming to discover the telltale enlarged lymph rate. Beyond that, gay people are being John Fortunato, a psychotherapist, is nodes in our necks, armpits or groins. fired, evicted, and denied basic services currently a divinity student at the Uni- And not only because our lovers and all, ostensibly, in the name of AIDS versity of Chicago. He is author of Embracing fear. In the long run, the unleashing of the Exile: Healing Journeys of Gay Chris- friends are dying all around us. tians; and past president of Integrity, the such blatant homophobia may be the organization of gay and lesbian Episco- AIDS is terrible to live with also most damaging effect of this insidious palians and their friends. because it makes us painfully aware that disease. AIDS is a progressively degenerative group — the government wasn't much That's one in 10. disease caused by a virus known in the interested (as it has never been much We are virtually talking about aplague, a United States as HTLV-3. It attacks the concerned about sickle-cell anemia). As plague as virulent and ugly as the black body's immune system, the bio-chem- the disease has become a spectre for all, death or smallpox ever were. ical network that fights off those foreign the Reagan administration has become The AIDS virus is spread by the agents which populate our environment more generous, although it is still exchange of bodily fluids and it ap- and get into our bodies routinely. spending a pittance in relation to the parently has to get into the bloodstream HTLV-3, over time, destroys thymic dimensions of the problem. (If the to do its dirty work. Sexual intimacy is lymphocytes — the T4 cells — that primary group of victims were comprised one way of getting it, and the primary control the immune system. This leaves of upper middle-class, heterosexual way it has spread in the gay community. the body defenseless. With no way to Whites, is there any doubt that funding Exchange of blood, semen or mucous — fight back, the body cannot prevent would be 10 times what it is at present?) even in minute quantities — can in- diseases from having a heyday. In 80% But in point of fact, even if all the troduce the virus. It gets in, takes hold,

publication. of the cases so far (which probably will money in the Pentagon's budget were and begins its deadly dance. Injecting be 100% eventually), these opportu- made available for AIDS research, it drugs with needles and other parapher- and nistic diseases kill the victim. alone could not produce a cure. Money nalia that have not been sterilized prop-

reuse cannot automatically unlock the secrets erly is another way to spread the virus, for No cure to date of a complex disease, or we already as is transfusing contaminated blood. Some of these diseases produce would have cancer licked, not to mention Nobody is sure yet about saliva and grotesque suffering and degeneration be- the common cold. Apparently, it is hard whether "French kissing," for instance, required fore bringing on death: a secondary virus to beat a virus (especially one like HTLV-3 can spread the disease, but it is suspect, that attacks and erodes the brain, leading that apparently can mutate), so it may be despite popular belief to the contrary. at first to personality deterioration, then three years or 10 years or never before a AIDS has a long incubation period; Permission a vegetative state, and finally death, as cure and a vaccine for AIDS are that is, there is a substantial delay from control of the internal organs is lost; a discovered — a terrifying but accurate when the virus gains entrance until it statement of the prospects. DFMS. cancer that produces horribly disfiguring starts to destroy. The virus remains / lesions all over and inside the body; a Nationally, about 73% of the victims dormant for perhaps six months to as pneumonia-like disease that progressively of AIDS are gay or bi-sexual men, long as five years, maybe longer. Stat- Church suffocates its victim, causing prodigious whose average age is 35. Non-prescription isticians have only been accumulating pain and physical wasting in the process. intravenous drug users (addicts) form relevant data for five years; the in- These diseases can sometimes be fought the next largest group of victims, some cubation period could be much longer. Episcopal off medically, but since the underlying 17%. Users of blood products, such as Which is to say, everybody who is going the lack of immunity continues, it is only a hemophiliacs, constitute 1%. And finally to get it six months from now in effect of matter of time before the victim con- there is a large minority of others (mostly already has it. And it also means that, tracts something else, or the same thing straight people, many of whom are even if one has been celibate for four

Archives again, or two or three diseases simul- Haitian) — 9%. Epidemiologists find years, one could be carrying a biological taneously. Eventually, the body and the that the "others" group is growing; that time-bomb inside, picked up from in-

2020. medical establishment lose a critical is, the disease is spreading more widely timacies (or needles or blood) shared battle and the victim dies. into the non-gay community. But for five years ago or longer. So virtually the To date, no cure has been found for now, most victims of AIDS are gay, entire gay male community is walking Copyright the HTLV-3 virus, nothing that will kill which leads most of the citizenry to label around wondering if they have it. the virus without killing the patient. AIDS "a gay disease." There is no vaccine to prevent it, either. Since 1981, more than 10,000 people A personal saga And there is no way to know how long it have gotten AIDS. Of those, more than Almost all I know who are gay have will be before a cure and vaccine are 5,000 are now dead. Of those diagnosed gone through some period of thinking found. in 1981, 80% are dead. And it is pro- they had AIDS. About two months ago, The United States government dragged jected that by 1995, unless a cure and I was convinced I had gotten it. I hadn't its feet predictably when the disease first vaccine are found, 50,000 of the es- felt well for weeks. Not sick enough to be surfaced. Since most of its victims were timated 500,000 gay men in San Fran- dysfunctional, but uncomfortable enough gay — a politically unpopular minority cisco alone will be afflicted and die. to feel drained constantly. Flu-like aches and a feverish feeling, though I had no possible of pain; 2) that they will die with my fears. Seriously enough to reassure fever. While chronic malaise and flu-like dignity and not grotesquely; 3) that they me that, if I were dying — they would be symptoms are some of the pre-AIDS will die with loving friends around them; there for me to the end. danger signs, there have to be others as and 4) that they will find some answer to Well, I guess I don't have AIDS well. In hindsight, it's clear I never had the question, "What happens to me (although I'm still not well and nobody true AIDS symptoms. But we all know when I die?" I can tell you now, it's all knows why). But my "brush" with AIDS, about hindsight. true. however imagined, has made an in- Eventually — five doctors and a lot of I came also to know in those 10 days delible mark on my soul. . . because tests later — I was persuaded that I how much I was loved. I suspect that 5,000 of my gay brothers do have AIDS. didn't have AIDS. (At least, if I do, it none of my close friends actually be- And they are actually going through all hasn't produced the real pre-AIDS lieved I had AIDS. But they loved me the torment and terror, anguish and symptoms yet.) And the likelihood of my enough to take my terror seriously. Se- despair, pain and disintegration that I having gotten it was and is remote (I riously enough to hold me as I sobbed in dealt with as a prospect, and only for 10 publication. have always been a sexual conserva- anguish, to send me to physicians until days. Many of my brothers are dying my soul found rest. Seriously enough to and tive). But then, it would maybe only take without the comfort of family and friends; once. And . .. statistics be damned ... talk with me as long as I needed, giving many linger for years, fighting off bout

reuse by fluke I might have it. So I was truly me all the facts they knew to try to quell after bout of debilitating diseases with for convinced. I lived 10 of the most miserable, panic-filled days of my life. I spent one full night lying beside my AIDS Supplication required lover, wide-eyed, heart in throat, staring (For use in the Litany in place of the versicie and collect which follow the at the ceiling, dealing not only with the Lord's prayer, or at the end of Morning or Evening Prayer, or as a separate dreadful possibility that I might have devotion. The intercessory prayer may be used separately.)

Permission infected him, but also with my own O God, arise, help us; impending suffering and death. And deliver us for your Name's sake.

DFMS. I learned a lot about myself during O God, we have heard with our ears, and our ancestors have told us of the / those 10 days. I learned how attached I works of healing you did in their days, and in ages past. am to life. Heaven will be great fun, O God, arise, help us, and deliver us for your Name's sake. Church perhaps, but — at 38 and all spiritual Glory to the Father, Son, and Mother Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is maturity aside — I came to know how now, and will be forever. Amen. much I wanted to live, how much I loved O God, arise, help us, and deliver us for your Name's sake. Episcopal this life, this world. I came to know how the much I enjoy God's creation. From our enemies defend us, O Christ. of Graciously look upon our afflictions. I also came to know how remarkably frail my faith is. The night I lay awake in With pity behold the sorrows of our hearts. Mercifully comfort your people. Archives terror, the only comfort I could find was in a mantra that came to me. I just kept Favorably and with mercy hear our prayers. 2020. repeating in my heart and silently on my O Compassionate Savior, have mercy on us. lips: "I am safe in the palm of God's Both now and ever hear us, O Christ. hand." All night long. It did give me Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us, Copyright solace, but not much. O merciful Christ. I came to know the Kubler-Ross steps Intercession of grieving like the back of my hand in We humbly beg of you, O God, mercifully to look upon your people as we those 10 days, going through denial, suffer from this dread disease: protect the healthy, calm the frightened, give courage to those in pain, comfort the dying, grant to the dead bargaining, anger, depression and ac- everlasting life; console the bereaved, bless those who care for the sick, ceptance scores of times at many levels and hasten the discovery of a cure. At this time we remember especially and at various velocities. I came to know And finally, O Compassionate God, grant that in this and all our in my guts the truth in the assertion that troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in your steadfast love, the dying need assurance mostly about through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. four things: 1) that they will be as free as

8 absolutely no hope of being able to keep for the scores of cringing bishops For starters, then, the church might "win" and resume a normal life; many who remain discreetly silent about the engage in some fence-mending with the live in desperate and in all probability, whole "unpleasant" topic. gay community. Might the dreadful futile hope that they will be able to hang disease not serve as a catalyst to pull this • A body of the Church of England on until a cure is found. self-righteous institution off its tartuffian has suggested that the Church should high horse on the whole issue of sex- Never have I felt so much part of "a begin blessing gay relationships because uality? As evidence increasingly emerges people." Never have I experienced so it would help contain AIDS. (Read: help that homosexuality is a natural bio- strong a thirst for justice. Never have I protect the "straight" community.) Gay logical variation in the human species, is had so little patience with those who people have been asking to have their it not time for the smug heterosexual would court the institution (church or unions lifted up by the church for 15 majority to give up its self-image of state) or degrade themselves by begging years or longer because they have known monochromatic normality and acknowl- for justice or settling for patronization. I Christ incarnate in them. Are we now to edge God's right to a pluralistic creation? have come to know in my guts that the have church sanction of gay relation- That's just for starters. publication. anawim deserve justice. It is our God- ships as a means of social planning? given right. And the onus of moral re- Beyond that, in the face of this terrible and Liturgy as a method of disease control? sponsibility concerning its provision is The very notion is demeaning and un- crisis, everything needs to be done: gay reuse on everyone's shoulders except the op- conscionable. people and others with AIDS need for pressed. This is something I always money (many become unemployable), "knew;" I just never experienced it until • A public figure in Chicago died shelter, clothing, food. They need friends now. recently of what apparently was AIDS. and support groups and medical care and required The man went off to the East Coast to professional counseling and prayer Listening to Jerry Falwell blithely die alone. The mayor's office had groups and spiritual direction. They need pronounce that AIDS is being sent by nothing to say about the cause of his friends to assure them, as mine did me. God to us who are gay as retribution for Permission death. The press referred to it as "an They need to know God's love and our "perversion," now evokes in me AIDS-related disease." His parish, a redemption. They need to be surrounded more rage than I ever knew I possessed. I prominent Episcopal church, hosted his by the mantra that saw me through my DFMS.

/ can hardly fathom the heartlessness of funeral, at which AIDS was neither one dreadful night. There need to be people who are gleeful that human mentioned nor alluded to. With good healing services and vigils, the right beings are dying miserable deaths. Church intentions, I am sure, a collusion among kinds of funerals and memorials, gen- What is the church doing in response? all concerned parties (beginning with the erosity for research, and hospice care. Basically nothing. And the Episcopal deceased) ensured that AIDS was po- And prayer. Lots and lots of prayer.

Episcopal Church, regrettably, is no exception. litely smothered in brocade and incense. The bottom line is this: God favors the the The institutional indolence is a disgrace. But at what cost? To my mind, that outcast. The anawim nestle especially of One hand would suffice to count the death-dealing lie robbed a man's dying close to God's bosom. This assertion is number of programs that have been and a city's grieving of any embodiment. scripturally unavoidable and true no initiated in the Episcopal Church to It made a mockery of death, liturgy, the matter how tightly some in Christ's church Archives provide for people with AIDS, their man, his family and his friends. hang onto their hypocrisy and com-

2020. lovers, and their families. fortable pews. In addition to this appalling neglect, The call But if the church — our church —truly insult is added to injury daily: What is needed? Most gay victims of intends to be the church, then it will

Copyright AIDS are dying with no spiritual nur- reach out in this horrible situation. And I • In a recent pastoral letter, Bishop turance. Having been abandoned or ex- am persuaded that it will. Crusty William Swing of California rationally communicated or alienated by the Episcopalians may be a little slow on the — in a gentlemanly way — "took issue" church by virtue of their gayness, few uptake, but I have known much justice in with those who are claiming that AIDS even consider asking for the church's this church. And a commendable in- is punishment from God. I say that is not help in their dying. For the same reason, tolerance for mean-heartedness. I am nearly enough. The only acceptable secular gay organizations that do pro- confident that justice and generosity and Christian response to such perversion of vide support for AIDS victims are fre- pastoral care and concern are forth- Christ's message of love is outrage. We quently hostile to clergy or religious coming. Only . . . "How long, O Lord? are waiting. Not to mention the vigil we groups. How long?" • publication. and reuse for required Requiem Permission Tom Jackson DFMS.

/ for an AIDS victim by Domenic K. Ciannella Church

A t is night and it is dark and I have word and touch, and I anointed him and needed their cover even at night. This Episcopal returned from the Nassau County Medi- presented the sacrament, which I con- was their son. How do parents speak of the cal Center, second floor, intensive care sumed in his behalf. sons or daughters as homosexuals ... ? of unit number four. Following the blessing and assurance In the fall of 1979 I was asked to The patient was under heavy sedation, of my return I left only to confront his consider a ministry to homosexuals in

Archives in guarded isolation. Mask-gloves-robe- parents. They came as they had come Long Island by offering a place for an AIDS-you know. The doctor came by. before, having wrestled (as love alone Integrity chapter to meet, worship, pro-

2020. "He'll not respond, but talk to him. He can wrestle with love) with the disease vide a support system for its members can hear you." I entered a scene known and the threat to their son's life, with all and a healthy alternative to the bars and to many. The difference here was Ac- their future hopes and anticipations other gay "scenes" which can be counter-

Copyright quired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. trapped in a vise and the awareness that productive. I had never given much The patient is a homosexual, a prime but their son is a homosexual. thought before to this special ministry, not sole target for this dread disease. So It was love alone that could bear such although I had previously ministered to we communicated as best we could, by pain as must be borne. So by love they many homosexuals. The group which were there. "Do something, O God, do had visited me had already been denied something." I held their hands and helped hospitality from another parish. The Rev. Domenic K. Ciannella is rector them dress and waited until there was no My own pastoral sensitivities and "the of Holy Trinity parish, Hicksville, LI., N.Y. An earlier version of this article appeared in more visiting. We left the hospital to- needs of others" prompted me to give Peace Offerings, published by Church of gether as persons do in such instances. serious thought to this request. From the the Advent, Westbury, N.Y. They spoke of "pneumonia." They start, I was inclined to positive action,

10 but there were some questions I had to people in validating a special organization cise ministry even where it appears to be ask and answers I had to hear. Why a for homosexuals within the Episcopal murky. special ministry? Why a Eucharist to Church and approving a special ministry Sometime ago we were all charged to begin the meeting? How does a parish to them. Finally, in unanimity, the vestry change pews — from the comfortable to priest announce this? As rector, does he offered a resolution of confidence in the uncomfortable — somewhat sugges- use the privilege of the keys? Does he ask their rector as parish priest, but this tive of the Eternal Word becoming the vestry? Does he seek the support of event proved something about church, humanly enfleshed. If mission is pos- neighboring priests? How does he get priesthood and ministry — at least to sible, as we all assume it to be, then it is started? Will the bishop provide his me. possible to change an adverse homo- blessing? What about parishioners? Can The church is the house of prayer for phobic climate to one that is under- the meetings be posted on the church's all people, but not yet. All are included, standing. At least it is possible to pene- sign board along with services, A.A., but not yet. All are welcome, but not yet. trate it. I believe mission is to change Overeaters Anonymous, study groups? All are made worthy by Christ, but some society, to move mountains, to make Homosexuality is a volatile issue. The must change. All are sinners, but some highways for God. I believe the tools for publication. suburbs are not the city. Nassau and more than others. All are Christbearers mission are the ministries exercised for and Suffolk residents are inclined to be con- — but some are unnatural. change; changing whatever is contrary servative and protective. There are Bible We realize there are homosexuals in to the message of Jesus of Nazareth to an reuse quotations and the posture of funda- our parishes and in our communities, in affirmation of it. I believe that homo- for mentalists. Besides, do I have the courage professions and trades, providing goods sexuals in our society are among the to go "public" with this ministry — or and services. Many are, or appear to be, oppressed of all societies and claim the required will it be foolhardy to do so and lose the reconciled and compatible, but others church's public ministry of liberation. I confidence and support of parishioners feel estranged, uncomfortable, separated seek the blessing of the bishop, the on a single issue when they had leaped so from church and society and thus isolated venturesomeness of the press, the sup- far ahead in other areas of ministry and and disconnected. port of the clergy, the prayers of the Permission service? Was there a middle way? I Notwithstanding the actions of General church, the acceptance of believers. thought there was; but, really, there is Conventions (1976 and 1979) regarding The ministry to the homosexual at DFMS.

/ none. the church's responsibility to study and Holy Trinity has evaporated for the lack Wednesdays were chosen, twice a understand the complexities of human of these, and those in need still have sexuality and "express gratitude for the need.

Church month: Eucharist at 8:00, meeting fol- lowing, discussions, some programs, some work of all those groups which are minis- I must finish now. I'm on my way back organization, some fellowship, some- tering pastorally among homosexuals in to Nassau County Medical Center, second

Episcopal times wine and cheese, always coffee or our society," developing and sponsoring floor, intensive care unit number four. tea and some sweets. Nopointwas made such ministries is fraught with difficulties. the Postscript: The phone rang. Answering, of to be secret, but no point was made to go Specialized ministries are not unusual. I heard the mellow tones of "his" friend. public except for presentations made at Our Episcopal Church provides many. The caller was not his lover: he was his two deanery meetings, announcements In some highly sophisticated and urban friend (as "no longer do I call you Archives to the clergy, individually, in groups and areas, ministries to persons whose needs servants, but friends"). As only friends at conferences. raise volatile issues as homosexuality, can, he wept — from the deep. He 2020. The policy of the diocesan paper was abortion, and right-to-lifear e more readily phoned to talk some, in lachrymal reflec- not to accept such advertisements, and provided, supported and accepted. In tion on the death of his friend. Beneath it all hell broke loose at a vestry meeting the more protected localities, such as the all was the quest for a measure of peace, Copyright when a discreet advertisement appeared outer city and suburbia, this is not so. reconciliation and resolution about this in "Newsday" with the church's tele- But the persons requiring such ministries one death — another death, yes — like phone number listed. In all fairness to are there, as is the church which states all other deaths, but unlike the others. the vestry, they felt overlooked; this was that such be provided. And if a ministry Different — since this was his friend's. true and I was at fault. The very nature of is valid it ought not to have to be Afterward I sat quietly in the darkness. the serious exchange which followed clandestine. It requires authentication I felt beyond thinking, but thought pressed proved the extreme volatility of the issue, from the primary pastor to all pastors hard upon me about myself, my caller, the high level of threat homosexuality whose corporate utterances can lead and this dead one, the life, all that's hidden, presented, and the difficulty faced by encourage the church community to exer- "the deep." •

11 publication. and reuse for required

Nicaragua'sforeign minister Miguel D'Escoto, arms open to given an embrace, orabrazo, a pose famil- Permission iar to visitors during his 30-day fast for peace. DFMS. /

Church Fasting with the foreign minister Episcopal the of hen Miguel D'Escoto, foreign that is a non-question. Fasting is a reli- of us fasted only four days, although one minister of Nicaragua, asked for a leave gious act, valid in and of itself. For ex- continued for two weeks. But we were

Archives of absence early in July to initiate a fast ample, what might Jesus, Gandhi and one in supporting D'Escoto's intentions "for peace, in defense of life, and against Martin Luther King have responded? that "there be an end to aggression and 2020. terrorism," he raised the discussion of Yet, a fast undertaken by a foreign the beginning of a new phase in the re- U.S.-Nicaraguan relations to a new minister of a country is news and has lationship between the United States and theological level. political and spiritual implications. Ex- Nicaragua." Copyright By participating in this ancient biblical tensive commentaries appeared in the By way of background: Miguel act, he sparked a religious response European and Latin American press, D'Escoto, born in California, the son of a worldwide before ending his fast Aug. 6. although there were few headlines here. Nicaraguan diplomat, is a Maryknoll He had fasted 30 days when an attending What follows are my impressions after priest who chose to exercise his ministry physician warned that his already dam- joining the fast in Managua with an eight- in service to the government. For this, aged heart would not take much further member ecumenical delegation comprised the Pope has suspended him from the strain. D'Escoto had undergone an opera- of priests, nuns and laypersons, and spon- priesthood, but Maryknoll still considers tion two months before the fast began, sored by the Interreligious Task Force, him a member. Four priests serve in and also suffered from diabetes. National Council of Churches. Our par- cabinet-level posts in Nicaragua, a Was the fast effective? In many ways, ticipation was largely symbolic — most country the Reagan administration lab-

12 Because of such acts, many Latin and an outdoor water spigot where some Christians view the United States as a of us were to meet him in shorts the next modern Pharaoh, challenging not only morning, splashing water on his face. the right of Nicaragua's 3 million people Padre D'Escoto, 52, was unshaven to self-determination, but the sovereignty and looked somewhat fatigued. After a of other Central and Latin American week of fasting, he had lost 14 pounds. An ecumenical delegation nations as well. D'Escoto interpreted "It was wonderful of you to come," he from the United States, including Reagan's demand that Nicaraguans give greeted us. We inquired about his health. the editor of THE WITNESS, up and "say Uncle" as a "Satanic ob- "I've never felt hunger in spite of the joined Nicaragua's foreign session of the U.S. government which is fact that I am a great eater. But what I am trying to force us to fall on our knees and going to suffer is nothing compared to m in ister Miguel D 'Escotofor a worship it as the golden calf." brief time during his 30-day what our people have suffered in this "Some demons," D'Escoto concluded, war." publication. fast for peace with justice. His "can only be cast out by prayer and Speaking softly, he described how he and effort added a theological di- fasting." sought the support of his religious super- mension to U.S.-Nicaragua re- Replaced temporarily by Victor Hugo iors, priests and other Christians before reuse lations, they found. Tinoco in his cabinet post, D'Escoto deciding to fast. "Our collective non- for took residence in the parish hall of Sacred violent effort must be proportionate to Heart Church in a working class barrio. the sins we're trying to prevent," he said. required "I was offered a room in a rectory, but Nicaragua, he explained had con- I was afraid that soon I would be tempted fronted U.S. aggression in four arenas: to sip a little soup, then move to a com- the military,"the diplomatic, the eco- fortable bed, then watch television," he nomic and the judicial. "And now it is Permission said. "I thought, if I'm going to fast, I'm time, without abandoning those four, to going to fast." He asked others of good dig a fifth trench — in the theological

DFMS. will in North America, Latin America / arena." and Europe to join him by fasting for a Two experiences of faith were central period of time. to his fast, D'Escoto said. The first is Church by Mary Lou Suhor Thus was I invited to join the U.S. ecu- related to the church's option for the menical delegation. Our group was met poor, which more often than not incurs at the airport by Josefina Gurdian de the disfavor of the rich. Therein lies the Episcopal Vijil, mother of six and coordinator of the "mystery of the cross," he observed. the fast for the Christian Base Communities of "When we proclaim that God wants els "communist." They are witnesses in Managua, who was to oversee our us all to be brothers and sisters, we are that the Sandinista government can look needs. Her first assignment proved for- persecuted and ultimately sufferthe cross.

Archives upon the church with neither pain nor midable. Four of our bags never arrived We become the target of those who de- grimace. from Miami, and she sought the whole fend the unjust order where persons are 2020. Chancellor D'Escoto had worked time we were there to track them down — not equal. Nicaragua's struggle to do toward reconciliation with the United to no avail. something new has made her the target of States through the ordinary channels of Josefina took us to Sacred Heart aggression of those who do not tolerate Copyright protocol. He had tried diplomacy, compro- parish hall and settled us in a long, dorm- change. mise, personal visits to government and itory-like room which accommodated "The second faith experience is the religious leaders, even the World Court some 20 fasters on cots and pallets. Then realization that violence is not Christian. to bring Nicaragua's beleaguered con- she told us that although it was late, I do not abandon the military who have dition to light. The United States re- Padre D'Escoto would like to see us. been forced to use violence to defend sponded with "covert and overt efforts" We hastily gathered notepads and Nicaragua, nor have I abandoned ave- to destabilize the revolution, voted mil- cameras and realized, for the first time, nues of diplomacy such as the Contadora lions to aid the Contras who are trying to that he was but a few feet away, in an process. But Christians must begin to topple the Sandinistas, and declared an adjacent room. We shared the same fa- introduce non-violent ideas and methods, economic blockade. cilities — a toilet in an adjoining patio to develop new and bold actions, like

13 Martin Luther King. I trust that little by entation, muscle aches and constipation Witness for Peace volunteer, had been little, the new order will overcome, and or diarrhea. Most disconcerting to me assigned temporarily to D'Escoto and the old order will crumble." was a certain aphasia which set about the the fasters. D'Escoto is also determined that reli- third day. And finding it hard to remem- Our "cafeteria" during the fast was set gious symbols not be totally appropriated ber things, I had to take far more notes. up at one end of the room on three chairs, by the religious right and manipulated by That many were similarly affected be- upon which rested three large water jugs. President Reagan to set the climate for came obvious when our group met to We were urged to drink 16 glasses a day. an invasion of Nicaragua. "He portrays discuss names of religious leaders who Also available were a plate of limes, a the United States as good, and Nicara- might support a nationwide fast July 26- container of coarse salt, and a small gua as representing evil and terrorism. 27 in the United States. Under ordinary bottle of liquid potassium which fasters The argument is tremendously simplistic circumstances we would have had no could use as they felt the need. Discreetly but has been successful in convincing in a corner were Fleet enemas, and some- people. Religious allusions frequently one had contributed a few handiwipes. appear in Reagan's discourses. And al- Dorothy Granada dispensed good cheer publication. though he is not a Catholic, he frequently Ecumenical team with her visits. "Drink more water. It and refers to the Pope." in Nicaragua fast gets boring, but it's good for you. Be sure As the visit ended, we each received Asia Bennett, Executive Secretary, to get rest during the day. When you end reuse an embrace and returned to the dormi- American Friends Service your fast, allow one day to come out of it for Committee for every day you've spent fasting. Start tory. In the interim, Josefina had come Sister Mary Canavan, S.C., and gone and supplied those whose bags Leadership Conference with liquids, move into solids. And no required had not arrived with sheets, soap and of Women Religious alcohol the first day!" towels from her own home. The Rev. Daniel Driscoll, M.M., Granada tended not only the fasters Our next days were a whirlwind of Director, Maryknoll Justice but visiting dignitaries as well. One could & Peace Office

Permission prayer, press conferences, Masses and The Rev. Joseph Foley, CM., hear her remonstrating, "Drink more ecumenical services, and meetings with Social Justice Commission, water. Get more rest," with D'Escoto visiting delegations and ecumenical Conference of Major Superiors and visiting colleague Fernando Car- DFMS.

/ groups. We also drew up a statement of Men denal, minister of education, who had about our fast and asked Sister Marjorie The Rev. Joyce Myers, O.C.L.L., been released from the Jesuits as he Board for World Ministries,

Church Tuite to read it during the weekly demon- United Church of Christ continued to serve in his post. stration at the U.S. embassy by U.S. Dr. Benton Rhoades, Agricultural The parish hall was the site of press citizens working in Nicaragua. The Missions, National Council conferences and interviews, and in be- of Churches Episcopal demonstration was the 87th consecutive tween was used for quiet prayer or con- event since the invasion of Grenada. The Sister Marjorie Tuite, O.P., the versations with deputations who arrived Director of Ecumenical Action, of message each time is a plea for peace, Church Women United practically every other hour and were with a clear signal that the U.S. com- Mary Lou Suhor, Editor, curious about the fasters from the United munity in Nicaragua does not want to be THE WITNESS magazine States. One night, after most of us had Archives "rescued" by Reagan, one of the pretexts gone to bed, we heard a buzz of voices, given for the Grenada invasion. We led then shrieks and laughter, creating a din 2020. the "march" of some 200 demonstrators, problem ticking off names, even addresses similar to that of fans meeting a celebrity. from the embassy to Sacred Heart Church and phone numbers of possible candi- It was just that. The leading actress in in two cars, sufficiently weak at that dates, but blanks had to be filled in when Nicaragua's most popular soap opera Copyright point as to be unable to walk the 20 we got home. had come to visit Padre D'Escoto, and minute distance in the hot sun. The U.S. Early on we were told that a nurse her fans had followed her. They waited citizens presented Padre D'Escoto with would check our blood pressure and until her visit was over and went into a a collection of $1400. temperature daily, and a doctor was also frenzy again as she exited. Fortunately, As our fast progressed, each day took available. To my delight, the nurse who the visit was brief and we dropped off into its toll in different ways. Those used to showed up was Dorothy Granada, the the vivid dreams which seemed to be copious cups of coffee throughout their Episcopalian woman from California another trait of our fast. normal days suffered caffein withdrawal. who gained notoriety for her 38-day Fast While we spent most of our time Others experienced headaches, disori- for Life some years ago. Granada, a within the parish complex, either in the

14 publication. and Members of the U.S. ecumenical delegation, from left, the Revs. Dan Driscoll reuse and Joe Foley, Sr. MaryCanavan and Asia Bennett listen intently as Nicaraguan

for Chancellor Miguel D'Escoto, far right, explains his fast. required Clockwise, from right: Dorothy Granada receives an abrazo from D'Escoto; Dan Driscoll, at Sacred Heart church, addresses Permission U.S. citizens who live in Nica- ragua; Education minister Fer- nando Cardenal chats with fast- DFMS.

/ ing WITNESS editor Mary Lou Suhor, left, and Nicaraguan poet Michele Najlis; Sr. MarjorieTuite

Church reads the ecumenical rasters' statement at a peace demon- stration outside the U.S. em- bassy in Nicaragua. Over her

Episcopal shoulder, another U.S. faster, the Rev. Joyce Myers. the of Archives 2020. Copyright

15 church, hall, or meeting rooms, many of opposition newspaper, published a car- "Gospel insurrection" inspired by D'Es- the people we had hoped to contact came toon ridiculing the portly D'Escoto and coto. to the barrio. It was the Times Square of depicting his neighbors, gleeful that his In the United States, supporters are Nicaragua. fast meant more food for them. fasting on an individual and group basis, More than 1,000 signatures were in On the other hand, the portly, newly with many churches joining their Nica- the visitor's book in the back of Sacred named Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo raguan denominations in prayerful vigil Heart church the day we arrived, and by was extolled for being honored by the for peace with justice. Said one U.S. the time we left, another thousand people Pope. While Barricada, the Sandinista participant, "If the contras can have a had signed. From all parts of Nicaragua paper, featured D'Escoto's fast in ban- 'Jeane Kirkpatrick task force' taking up and from all sectors of society they came: ner headlines, other papers ran front armed struggle, why can't we have Mi- Daniel Ortega and Sergio Ramirez, pres- page stories on Obando, describing how guel D'Escoto prayer brigades commit- ident and vice president of Nicaragua; he celebrated his first Mass as Cardinal ted to the sword of the spirit?" Those Dom Sergio Mendez Arceo from Mexico; in Miami with Nicaragua's exile com- wishing to participate in the fast can

publication. delegations from trade unions and the munity. Obando's promotion by the contact the Interreligious Task Force, army; mothers of heroes and martyrs, Pope has profound political significance, National Council of Churches, 475 Riv- and poets, journalists, and religious. since the new cardinal is ideologically erside Drive, New York, N.Y. 10115. identified with the counterrevolution in reuse It was as though Exodus 17:11, read

for at one of the Masses by the Rev. Joyce Nicaragua. Myers of our delegation, had come to The failure of Nicaragua's hierarchy Water women life. The people were flocking to support to speak out against U.S. aggression is We do not want required D'Escoto, their "Moses," to keep his deeply disturbing to Miguel D'Escoto, to rock the boat, arms uplifted in prayer, that their battle who said he was repenting in his fast for you say, mistaking with the enemy not go against them. their "silence of complicity." "Our bish- our new poise for something safe.

Permission Cables arrived daily from all parts of ops should be the ones to denounce false- the world. Nobel prizewinner Adolfo hood, but they have, with their silence We smile secretly Perez Esquivel of Argentina sent his and also with their words, provided at each other, DFMS. / support, as did Bishops Samuel Ruiz of Reagan with more arguments for his sharing the reality that for some time Mexico and Pedro Casaldaliga of Brazil. theological war against Nicaragua. In we have not been

Church Solidarity was expressed by Mexico's international forums, we listen to the in the boat. Christian Base Communities and many phrases of Monsenor Obando and Mon- We jumped national political parties. The Rt. Rev. J. senor Vega coming from North Ameri- or were pushed

Episcopal Antonio Ramos, associate director for cans who use them to justify their ag- or fell

the the Caribbean and Latin America, NCC, gression. This causes me great suffering. and some leaped of cabled support for the fast from six other "The theological struggle is here and overboard. Episcopal Bishops: the Rt. Revs. Paul we must be in it. Not to make one, two, Our bodies form Moore of New York; John Spong of many documents of renunciation. The a freedom fleet Archives Newark; Lyman Ogilby of Pennsylva- world is inundated with documents. We our dolphin grace nia; Coleman McGehee of Michigan; is power.

2020. must do something. That is why I de- Robert Anderson of Minnesota; and Otis cided to fast." We learn and teach Charles of Utah. As D'Escoto's health deteriorated, and as we go each woman sings;

Copyright While D'Escoto's fast did not receive hundreds of demonstrators arrived at the each woman's hands much press coverage in the United States, church chanting and urging him to end are water wings. it captured attention worldwide, and the fast that he might resume his gov- thousands fasted with him, some for one ernment post. Hundreds of parishes Some of us have become or two days, some for a week. Thousands mermaids or Amazon whales throughout Nicaragua volunteered to and are swimming for our lives. more joined him in prayer. carry on the fast one day a week throughout The foreign minister's fast was per- August and into September as a U.S. Some of us do not know how to swim. We walk on water. ceived by some as further exacerbating invasion remained a possibility. Watch- the gulf between the hierarchy and the ing and praying, they sought the support — Alia Bozarth-Campbell popular church. La Prensa, Nicaragua's of others to help them carry on the

16 Short Takes

ECM divests portfolio Military's Mr. Coffee The Boston Episcopal City Mission will di- Protocol of power The Pentagon's zeal for technological vest holdings in its endowment portfolio by The whole society of Washington. wizardry often results in "overdesigned" or the end of this year in companies that do D.C. is built on the protocol of power. "goldplated" weapons. By incorporating business in South Africa, it was announced At a well-run Georgetown dinner party, the very latest technologies into weapons by the Rev. Joseph A. Pelham, Director. the most powerful person leaves at they often become overly complex, unre- The action follows a two year review of 11 o'clock — and no one else may liable, and expensive. the matter, and holdings involved represent leave before that person leaves. I re- The $7,400 "hot beverage unit" (coffee- an estimated market value of $1,130,000 member one evening being at a small pot) for the C-5 aircraft has over 2,000 in bonds and stocks, approximately 50% of dinner where Mrs. John Foster Dulles custom madepartsand isdesignedtowork ECM's equity. Holdings affected include was present. At 11 p.m. she said, "I in gravitational forces greater than the crew or publication. Pepsico Capital Reserve, IBM, General don't know if it's me or the Suffragan aircraft could survive. Motors Acceptance, Wang Laboratories, Bishop, but I'm going home." The P3 Orion submarine-hunter plane and Johnson and Johnson, American Hospital —The Rt. Rev. Paul Moore, Jr. comes equipped with a $12,000 three- Supply, Merck, Squibb, CPC International, Bishop of New York cubic-foot refrigerator to store the crew's reuse MMM, General Electric and Exxon. lunches on long flights. It is designed to for Eight states, 33 cities, and 47 universi- meet "rigid vibration standards," survive ties have now divested or are in the process crashes, and operate in an unpressurized of divesting in South Africa in opposition to Media and the hostages cabin. Such overdesign is unfortunately Americans are grateful for the recent re- required apartheid, often the rule rather than the exception. lease of the American hostages from TWA Flight 847. Their ordeal was news for 17 — Center for Defense Information Mark of God's image days. The news media has come under Defense Monitor, Vol. XIV, No. 1 Of language, novelist Doris Betts wrote: "I sharp criticism for its extensive coverage of Permission believed that language was the real mark of these events. God's image within us, in a world where Someofthecriticismmaybejustified, but Postage stamp politics humans take all the time, but the other 2 I visited with a fellow Episcopalian who ad-

DFMS. we must not lose sight of the positive role / million species say not a word." the news media played in the crisis. The vises George Bush on foreign policy re- — Quoted in The Communicant media humanized the political struggle. cently. Having read a speech by Bush in John Testrake, captain of the plane, spoke Austin, Tex., I was upset over his use of the Church word "communist" to designate the elected Gleaning encouraged at a press conference in Damascus after the hostages' release. We heard his words government in Nicaragua. Citing the Judeo-Christian tradition of I asked the adviser if he were a Democrat leaving part of the harvest in the field to via a free press. He said of the ordeal: "We've Episcopal found out things about our fellow man on (expecting a chuckle). He said "no." I asked provide food for the poor, Rep. Tony P. Hall if he believed in democracy. He said "yes." I the the other side of the world that we didn't (D-Ohio) introduced a resolution urging then asked if it would be a falsehood to of know. And we found that they're human state and local governments to enact tax label him a Democrat in spite of his belief, and other incentives to encouragegleaning. beings. They (the Shiites) have the same emotions, the same fears, the same expecta- and he concurred. So I challenged Bush's Gleaning is a custom which dates to Bibli- remark denouncing the "communist rulers

Archives tions, the same dreams for their country cal times. Today, gleaning is largely prac- of Nicaragua, pointing out that not one mem- ticed by church groups and other non- that we all have. And in that sense," Testrake concluded, "we were able to empathize ber of the nine-person ruling directorate 2020. profit organizations that harvest and dis- belongs to the Communist Party. Also, in tribute fruits, vegetables, and other crops with them and we were led to have a deeper understanding of the problems that they're the 1984 elections there were three parties that have been left by mechanical har- to the right of and three parties, including vesters. facing." Copyright Most painfully, yet not without great bene- the Communist Party, to the left of the In 1974 some 60 million tons of grain, Sandinistas. (That should earn them favor- fruit, and vegetables worth $5 billion were fit, the news coverage of the hostage crisis has brought before our eyes yet another able consideration from Episcopalians who left to rot unharvested. That amount of food value the via media.) could feed nearly 49 million people. oppressed group — the Shiites. — The Rev. James Lewis He replied by pulling out an envelope One of the largest gleaning groups is Michigan Coalition for Human Rights with a Nicaraguan postage stamp depict- Senior Gleaners of California, which har- on WDET-FM "Commentary," Detroit ing Karl Marx, as if that were evidence that vested over 2 million pounds of food in they were communists. I pointed out that 1982 which it distributed to over 250 Babe Ruth was also on a N icaraguan postage charities in northern California. Other major Quote of note stamp and asked, "Does that mean the gov- organizations are the Society of St. Andrew "What's the use of a house if you haven't got ernment leaders are all baseball players?" in Virginia, and Sparrow Outreach Ministries a tolerable planet to put it on?" — The Rev. Charles Demere in Washington. — Henry David Thoreau Washington, D.C.

17 A second look at the First Beatitude by Nathan E. Williams

he First Beatitude is given by The truly poor, in light of the First Beati- dead uncle's powerlessness, the next Matthew as "Blessed are the poor in tude, include all who renounce violence thought that comes to mind is that he spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heav- and trust God for their security. could kill the black game bantams that en. " Luke says, "Blessed are you poor, The poor live with severely constricted were his uncle's special possession. for yours is the kingdom of God." Some political and economic options, and the Omnipotence, contrasted with complete publication. Christians prefer Matthew's version to frustration this creates is a severe temp- vulnerability, leads immediately to the and Luke's, because if the realm is only for tation to violence. We forget that it was possibility of disrespecting all life. The the destitute not many of us will qualify. impoverished Galilean fishermen — ex- boy can believe in his omnipotence be- reuse "Poor in spirit" would seem to suggest actly the type who became Jesus' disci- cause he is utterly alone and unaccount- for that a little humility and self-deprecation ples — who ignited the war with Rome in able to anyone for his conduct. can ease us in. 66 A.D. Rich and powerful people al- The poor to whom Jesus promises the required The primary meaning of "poor" in the ways have a variety of options through blessing of the realm are the destitute texts is to be deficient to the point of which they may act. When the system of this world. However, included in the destitution with respect to this world's does not yield its usual fruit, some of blessing is any person willing to renounce goods. However, Matthew's expansion them also resort to violence. The rich, violence for the sake of the realm of Permission of "poor" with a qualifying phrase sug- however, hire surrogates to do their dirty God. Those who long for the realm do gests that there are dimensions and refer- work. The poor who renounce violence not passively accept poverty and ex- DFMS.

/ ences in the word which invite exploration. are totally vulnerable. They have little ploitation. They expect an end to the An astonishing possibility for under- except God to protect them. complete vulnerability of the poor, pray- standing the First Beatitude is suggested Poverty as complete vulnerability is a ing and working eagerly for liberation Church by I. Howard Marshall in an exegetical theme found in Flannery O'Conner's without resort to violence. Those who note on Luke 6:20 (The Gospel of Luke: story, "You Can't Be Any Poorer Than seek the blessing of the First Beatitude A Commentary on the Greek Text). Ex- Dead." A 14-year-old backwoods boy know they are accountable to God for the Episcopal amining the meaning of "poor" as it is living with his 84-year-old uncle is one gift of life, and they hold that gift in trust the

of used in the Septuagint he writes: day left alone to bury the old man. The as members of a community of faith. Their confidence is that of the author of The persons declared by Jesus to uncle has given explicit burial instruc- the Twelfth Psalm. " 'Because the poor be fortunate are hoi ptochoi, "the tions, even allowing for the possibility Archives are despoiled, because the needy groan, I poor." The Gk. word means "one that the boy might not be able to lift him into the coffin and transport him to the will now arise,' says the Lord; 'I will

2020. who is so poor as to have to beg," place them in the safety for which they i.e. one who is completely destitute. grave. When death comes to the uncle long.' " The psalm ends in confidence In the Septuagint it is used as the the boy is strangely aware that he cannot be compelled to carry out the instruc- that this promise is trustworthy, and with

Copyright equivalent of various words. [IJt the prayer that God will protect the be- translates "a dependent,"... tions. The dead uncle is powerless, and liever from wickedness and vileness. "lowly, weak;" and "poor man, the boy can do what he wishes with the beggar. "In Proverbs it also trans- body. The First Beatitude does not ask us to lates "needy, famished." The an- As this awareness grows a voice with- feign humility or speak self-deprecatingly. tonym is not "rich, "but "violent." in him says, " 'You can't be any poorer We are asked to make a more difficult than dead. He'll have to take what he and dangerous choice. We are invited to gets.' Nobody to bother me, he thought. find happiness in renouncing violence The Rev. Nathan E. Williams, M. Div., is Ever. No hand uplifted to hinder me from and trusting God for our security. The minister of the First Baptist Church of anything." As he continues the medita- First Beatitude complements beautifully Pittsburgh. tion on his own omnipotence and his the blessing of the Peacemakers. •

18 ALutaContinua - the struggle continues by Barbara C. Harris Marching to Pretoria — right on!

"You walk with me, ous elements." Office workers similarly I'll walk with you are exhorted to destroy or confuse doc- And so we will walk together uments. "Wherever you are, in whatever And so we will walk together department you work," the message goes, publication. As we march along. "make sure that production is disrupted and We're marching to Pretoria, regularly." Pretoria, Pretoria Sabotage and disruption of production reuse We're marching to Pretoria, by people's armies during a war is a time- reported bombings — more than 70 so for Hurrah!" honored tradition, particularly in the far this year — boycotts, arson and loot- Western world. Freedom fighters strug- ing attacks on White-owned businesses, gling against the Nazi war machine were required threaten to pierce the chinks in Botha's •Jo goes a verse and the refrain of a hailed as heroes and heroines. A current reportedly impregnable armor. turn of the century soldier's marching rash of TV movie re-runs chronicles their Demonstrations, riots in the townships song from the Boer War. It's the kind of exploits and efforts to thwart the enemy's and other sporadic violence, which the Permission song that's guaranteed to pluck up your "march to the front." Even the early peat ANC admits are out of its control, may, courage when you're whistling through a bog soldiers of Northern Ireland's bloody indeed, be put down and/or "managed"

DFMS. graveyard. It was sung playfully around uprisings are immortalized in song. by unchecked police power under a / fires at summer camps and church con- Small wonder that ANC president Ol- "state of emergency" — a measure tac- ferences by scores of American young- iver Tambo should resort to this ap- itly endorsed by Washington. The South Church sters during the 1940s and '50s with little proach. African government has warned, and thought or knowledge of its origin or Similarly, work stoppages, such as few would deny, that its fearsome fire- meaning. those threatened by South African mi- power has yet to be fully unleashed. Episcopal Its sentiments, if not its words, echo ners, have won applause from Western Thousands more likely will be jailed and the governments when led by Solidarity in killed before what amounts to martial of over South Africa today, but the "sol- diers" and the context of the battle cry Poland and other Eastern bloc countries. law is lifted. are beyond any 1890s Boer's wildest Its application in South Africa, while Meanwhile, neither the quibbling of

Archives imaginings. downplayed by the Botha government, European Common Market member- A new march to Pretoria is taking could seriously cripple an economy al- nations over pseudoeconomic sanctions 2020. shape — one that may well strike a more ready in a state of severe recession. nor the recall of their ambassadors for telling blow to the jugular of apartheid Government officials and the Chamber "consultation" are likely to cause Botha than any tactic employed thus far. Or- of Mines are quick to discount the Na- much discomfort. And, indeed, the pious Copyright chestrated by the banned African Na- tional Union of Mineworkers' statement platitudes abhorring apartheid as "re- tional Congress, the new march is part of that a strike of gold and coal mines by pugnant," that waft up from the banks of the people's war against apartheid and its over 400,000 workers would bring those the Potomac, loom no larger than the muffled cadence is being piped into South industries to a standstill. Yet labor re- petulant outbursts of a lover's spat. Africa by ANC broadcasts over Addis lations analysts outside the country But watch the quiet march to Pretoria Ababa (Ethiopia) "freedom radio." agree that it would be the most serious — the one by "foot soldiers" in factories, Black workers in South African fac- challenge yet to the White-minority re- offices, coal and gold mines. Like sugar tories are being urged by the ANC to gime which could lose about $250 mil- in the gas tank of an automobile, it can sabotage machinery by "removing vital lion a week if the miners walk out. bring even the sleekest driving machine parts or introducing foreign and danger- Sabotage and strikes, coupled with un- to a screeching, grinding halt. •

19 On being a gay priest by Zalmon O. Sherwood

Wee are concerned about you," a because it provides a publicly observ- ministry. My heart, my soul, my voice priest friend pulls me aside and whispers able model of how God can act in the life respond to God's call, because I see all in my ear. Go ahead and be gay, but for of a gay person. too clearly the pain and suffering, not God's sake, be discreet." Most of my gay friends were raised in only of my life, but in the lives of people Four months have passed since I, a a milieu of social intolerance so pervasive who come to me for prayer and counsel.

publication. gay man was ordained a priest. Why do I that at times, even today, it still seems In order to grow spiritually, I have had to qualify myself as a gay man at the natural. How is it possible for any of us acknowledge, then let go of the pain, the and beginning of this article? Many of my to escape entirely the homophobia that betrayal, the guilt, so that I can proceed friends and colleagues discourage me was an inextinguishable presence through- reuse to follow Christ and be a channel of His

for from proclaiming my homosexuality. out our formative years and whose scars healing and reconciling powers. As a They consider it a private personal char- we bear today? We learned in our homes, minister, I am called to encounter all acteristic, one that, if publicly known, schools, and churches that homosex- persons as human equals with under- required would interfere with my capacity to uality is a sin, an aberration, that our standing and sensitivity, and thus, free minister to people. homosexual feelings are unnatural and persons from stereotypes and cultural "I want you to be successful," my shameful. And so our feelings were re- prejudices.

Permission friend continues. "I want you to attain a pressed, punished and closeted. If we We all want to be open and authentic, level of power that will make it possible dare to live openly gay lives, we are, to be freely ourselves and accepted as for you to do great things for church and more often than not, excluded, despised, such. Yet gay persons know that much of DFMS. / society." slandered, robbed of human rights. Yes, what they legitimately want in life may "Be patient," advised my former our souls are scarred, and it is not elude them if they are open about their

Church spiritual director. "Wait a while longer surprising that so many gay persons see homosexuality. I often experience a before flaunting your homosexuality. In only the scars and mistake them for their sense of spiritual homelessness that re- fact, why flaunt it at all? Jesus never whole selves, hating in themselves and sults from trying to work gracefully in

Episcopal dwelled on his sexual preference." thus in others that which can lead to a what is largely a hostile environment. It the Of course my friends, both gay and more meaningful life, if recognized and is a dangerous struggle in which I am of straight, are concerned, even afraid. I'm affirmed as a gift from God. engaged, that of disillusionment with the afraid myself at times. But their fear is My "coming out" is a rejection of the insitutional church of which I choose to images of heterosexuality that society be a part. Archives massive and supported by the homo- phobic conviction that coming out is expects from me. By being both honest I remain in the church, because I

2020. "not worth it," which is to say, "I'm not with myself and others, I am being remember that Jesus' disciples consisted worth it." honest with God, and therefore more of those persons outside of the tra- I have come to accept and love this open to God's grace. Being an avowed ditional, established centers of social

Copyright particular person who I am and the gay priest leads me to a deeper and more and economic power. The church today spiritual journey which is my own. In vulnerable, more compassionate sense will thrive only to the degree that it coming out, my life and ministry become of belonging with others who suffer un- embraces, in their full humanity, those a public witness of homosexual Chris- justly. God calls me to be in solidarity persons on the margins of life. tian maturity and a gift to the next with other oppressed minorities, and to My own experience of marginaliza- generation. Such a witness is generative demand with them and for them social tion empowers me to reach out to others justice and civil rights. at the edges of society — battered What God has fashioned within and women, abused children, prisoners, poor The Rev. Zalmon O. Sherwood is an assistant priest at Emmanuel Episcopal around me; i.e., my homosexuality, is and hungry persons, the elderly, persons Church, Southern Pines, N.C. precisely that which calls me to the of color and different faiths. I shall

20 always live at the margins, at times collar. I am committed to seeking ways ing silent about my homosexuality, I am closer, at other times farther from the to heal the division between body and prevented from describing my intimate centers of social, religious and political soul, which means helping people to relationships, and hence come across as life. realize that God is deeply enmeshed in incapable of forming any. In our silence, As a gay priest, I do not attempt to our most ordinary daily lives, instead of in the secrets and lies we cling to, we are disguise my homosexuality behind the located in some other worldly, tran- stripping our vocations of any passion disembodied prestige of the clerical scendent, never-never-land. By remain- and integrity. •

I Adistant light by Madeline Ligammare i publication.

and He• wasn't a stereotypical Christian. I met Danny in the central solarium of tending our lives back to fullness. His Some may argue that he wasn't a Chris- that institutional greenhouse, where human faded jeans and shoddy T-shirt were in reuse tian at all. It's true, you wouldn't find him minds like sun-beaten, wind-whipped uncanny contrast to the light in his eyes. for kneeling on velvet brocade. He didn't plants are nurtured back to life. The It was a light of acceptance, understand- pray before a linen-draped altar bathed window-lined wall soaked the solarium ing, and caring that he had for himself as in the amber light of candles. Even I in sunlight, giving the room an illusion of well as for others (although many per- required doubted that his earth-stained Nikes freedom and a glimpse — a constant sons would reject him at first glance). ever felt the give of the carpet lining the reminder — of the real world. Danny was This light, like the star the Magi spotted aisles of the faithful as they journey to the seated at the piano, his nicotine-stained in the dismal winter sky, gave me courage

Permission wheat fields and vineyards of their salva- fingers teaching the keys to chant the to travel through the winter season of my tion. One thing, however, is certain. He messages of jazz. I was seated across the own soul. room from him, at the far end of my life DFMS. introduced me to the God who not only I visited Danny only once after leaving / desires us to walk in the truth of our — three couches, five chairs, and worlds the hospital. Soon he was discharged as salvation, but also in the truth of who we away. Each seat held its own story of well. I went back to my "straight," Church are in the heart of our beings. human anguish. I was one of those stories, socially permissable life: four children, a Danny's sanctuary was an undersized devastated and depressed after my hus- mortgage, a college education, and the room at the head of a hallway. The hall- band's death. Although my pain served "proper" (although sometimes plastic) Episcopal way was policed at one end by an army of as a wall between myself and reality, I piety of my church. Danny returned to the nurses and mental health workers and at was able to respond to the unpredictable his life — to the drug-dealing streets of of the far end by an ominous door with a patterns of life symbolized by the dis- the city, to gay bars, and to those places formidable lock. His altar was a piano cordant sounds of Danny's jazz. where he is permitted to dress as a woman

Archives keyboard, and I feel certain that the in his intense search for self-identity. Danny's music was different. It didn't prayers he intoned there rose heaven- deny the existence of suffering. It didn't I'll never forget, however, those 10 2020. ward, mingling with the silver notes of transport the listener to Elysian lands desperate days when the paths of our cathedral choirs and equally welcomed where consolation is promised by and by. unlikely lives converged and ran parallel by God. The music, instead, intoned the sounds for a season. Now as I kneel on velvet Copyright To and fro, up and down the hallway of suffering like a poet captures the sighs brocade and pray before the linen-bathed Danny paced, keeping step with each of his heart and translates them into altar of my church, I am reminded that dropping rosary bead, one bead, one verse. My pain, my grief now had an much of what we so quickly label" sin" is "Hail Mary" at a time. His shoulder- order, even a curious beauty; and in this in reality the pain responses of our lives. length hair rode the gentle breeze of new form, I was able to face the anguish Danny, a man shunned by the church as passing patients on their way to group in my heart and work my way through a "sinner" and labeled by society as a therapy. it. misfit, brought to me a life-saving, life- giving gift. It was a glimpse of mutual Madeline Ligammare is a poet and free- As good friends do, Danny and I sat acceptance and of the power to love lance writer based in Kennesaw, Ga. together midst the plants in the solarium, ... to love fearlessly! •

21 Therefore choose life by Anne Gilson

•3ilence is not always golden. Silence the price of the pound of flesh for keeping — a church which ministers to lesbian can be life-denying. We who have kept silent. During these seminary years, I and gay people. We are asked to choose silent about ourselves for far too long can have grown to see my vocational com- between our faith and our sexuality. testify to that. One clear morning it sud- mitment as a commitment to justice- Those of us who are lesbian and gay denly dawns on us that we can no longer making, to joining my sisters and brothers often find that homophobia is so pervasive bear the weight of our silence. We open in Latin America, the United States, that it has crept into our own psyches. the doors of our closets and come out to South Africa, and the Philippines in the Our own homophobia keeps us from struggle for liberation. I have probed to publication. ourselves, one another, and to the world valuing ourselves. as lesbians or as gay men. find the theological connections between Fear is the active ingredient in this and my life and theirs. Through this search I schema of horror. Homophobia literally But this act is done neither thought- have found I cannot ignore the ways I am

reuse means fear of the same. Those who lessly nor without dire presentiments of oppressed as a woman and as a lesbian, for would prefer our silence and invisibility the dangers that lie ahead. Some of us and my struggle is connected with theirs fear what we can become as self-affirming lose our jobs, lose custody of our children, because none of us can be free until all lesbians and gay men. In fearing us and our worshiping communities, even our required are free. Thus part of my commitment our consequent challenges to the status very lives. Each one of us must make must be to confront the forces of homo- quo, they also fear themselves. Homo- excruciating decisions of what we can or phobia, particularly in the church, which phobia fosters a fear of being intimate cannot say. Some can never speak be-

Permission keep lesbians and gay men from breaking and ultimately a fear of loving. We learn cause the risks are too high. Those of us out of our silence to choose life. to fear our neighbors as ourselves. who can, must, for everyone's sake. Lesbians and gay men know all too The underpinnings of homophobia DFMS. Each one is called to choose the most / life-affirming course of action. well the dynamics of homophobia. The rely on the assumption that lesbians and Moral Majority would have us quaran- gay men are less than whole and that

Church In my last year of seminary, having tined. They say AIDS is God's punish- relating heterosexually, sanctioned by come to the point where silence is no ment for gays. The Massachusetts De- centuries of theological dictates, is the longer golden, I openly acknowledge I partment of Social Services recently best and only way of relating. Such as-

Episcopal am a lesbian. "What a pity, they say. She adopted a policy directed against lesbian sumptions only pervert our relationships

the had such a promising career .. . and she and gay foster parents. Last summer a with each other and with God. Fearing of was such a nice person." In the last few gay man drowned after being shoved off our neighbors as ourselves causes us to months I have been the recipient of a bridge in Bangor, Me. Some of us are become disembodied. We shun any condolences and prayers for my "whole- disowned by parents, sisters, brothers mutuality, any sharing of what we hold in Archives ness." People who have known me for and other loved ones. Our integrity comes common, and become disconnected from years pour over my life with a fine tooth

2020. under attack. Because we love members one another. comb to find out why I am a lesbian. of the same sex, we are charged with The church as a faith community needs Why did I choose now to come out? A promiscuous, aggressive and confronta- to open itself to lesbian and gay people.

Copyright friend anxiously asked me why I couldn't tional behavior. The church must recognize that there are wait until after I was safely ordained to If we are lucky, our churches call us families other than nuclear families, speak. My answer is that if I did wait, I "children of God," but more often than partnerships other than male/female would no longer be a whole person. not won't ordain us. If they do ordain us, marriages. Saying such things are in the There wouldn't be anything left to pay they ask us not to "practice our homo- "private sphere" is a euphemism for dis- sexuality." (We don't need practice, connection from the rest of the world and we're experienced, a friend once pointed God. How we live and how we love af- Anne Gilson is a seminarian at Episcopal out.) The National Council of Churches fects others in the world besides our- Divinity School and a political activist in- volved in peace and Central American turned down the request for membership selves. issues. of the Metropolitan Community Church Our love of neighbor as self moves us

22 AIDS resolution to GC Following is the conclusion of a ULTATIOri General Convention resolution concerning AIDS: Be it resolved that the 68th Gen- eral Convention of the Episcopal Gearing up for convention Church meeting in Anaheim: 1) Recognizes with love and compassion the tragic human suf- fering and loss of life involved in the AIDS epidemic; . he Consultation, an Episcopal-based The platform will be mailed to all 2) Urges that a spirit of reconcili- coalition for social justice, has named a members of the House of Bishops and ation and love infuse the dialogue 20 member steering committee to over- House of Deputies. Others interested in surrounding the AIDS crisis in the see that its "platform for exercising obtaining a copy can write to the Epis- spirit of the living Christ who died publication. that all might have life and have it prophetic ministry" is carried out at the copal Church Publishing Company, Box and more abundantly; church's General Convention in Anaheim 359, Ambler, PA 19002. 3) Urges the dioceses, parishes Sept. 6-13. Members of The Consultation steer- reuse and missions of this church to of- The group has been meeting over the ing committee are: Byron Rushing, the for fer intercessory prayer regularly past two years "to do some hard planning Rev. Edward Rodman, and Diane Pol- with special intentionsforthe AIDS crisis; to implement programs of to propel forward a so-called liberal lard representing the Episcopal Urban church that now floats between vacilla- Caucus; the Rev. R. Baldwin Lloyd and required education concerning AIDS; to identify and implement programs tion and equivocation on issues ofjustic e Edward C. Chapman, Appalachian Peo- for ministry to all persons affected and peace." The coalition invites those ple's Service Organization; Juli Beatty by AIDS, and to develop programs who are interested in participating in its and the Rev. Domenic K. Ciannella, of AIDS prevention education; Permission 4) Instructs the staff of the Ex- strategies around elections and legislation Integrity; Mary Miller and the Rev. ecutive Council to develop pro- to attend an open meeting on Saturday, F. Sanford Cutler, Episcopal Peace Fel-

DFMS. grams of AIDS awareness and Sept. 7 at 3:15 p.m. in the Hilton Hotel. lowship; Carol Cole Flanagan and Marge / education for implementation no Groups supporting the coalition will be Christie, Episcopal Women's Caucus; later than March, 1986; situated in booths united under one ban- the Rev. Floyd Naters-Gamarra, His- Church 5) Gives high priority for funding ner at the exhibit hall. panic concerns group; the Revs. S. Michael to AIDS-related programs; 6) Calls upon the Presiding Bish- The Consultation's vision statement, Yasutake and Richard S. O. Chang, op of the Episcopal Church to Odyssey in Faith, calling for a Christian Asian-American concerns group; Dr. Episcopal establish and lead a national day commitment to justice and empower- Deborah Harmon Hines and the Rev. the of prayer and healing with special ment, has been running serially in past Jesse F. Anderson, Union of Black of intentions for the AIDS crisis; Episcopalians; the Revs. Barbara C. 7) Calls upon the President of issues of THE WITNESS. The coali- the United States and Congress, tion's platform takes a stance vis a vis the Harris and Kwasi A. Thornell, the Epis-

Archives state, and local governments to in- reports and resolutions of the committees, copal Church Publishing Company; the crease funding for research and commissions, boards and agencies of the Rev. Everett W. Francis, Church and

2020. treatment for AIDS and AIDS pre- General Convention as contained in the City Conference; and the Rt. Rev. John vention education. Blue Book. H. Burt, Urban Bishops' Coalition. • Copyright beyond the superficial split between pub- forfeit bodies and souls to the church's should not be sexually active. I believe lic and private life. If lesbians and gay double standard. If we are indeed "chil- that my sexuality is holy and my relation- men want to participate in mainstream dren of God," then the church is wrong to ships wholesome. Many of my sisters churches, we have to leave pieces of our- refuse to ordain gay men and lesbians. and brothers have left the church, but for selves on the doorstep of the church each the time being, I remain. I will not be time we enter and lose ourselves in the I reject the notion that same sex re- defined out of the church. Nor will I re- process. Questions go half answered. lationships are incompatible with Chris- main content to leave those pieces of Truths are only half told. tian faith, and also that in order to be a myself on the doorstep. I must, against Lesbians and gay men should no longer person of faith and an effective priest, I the odds, choose life. •

23 Yes, please send me 'A Priest Indeed1 on 1/2-inch VHS cassette for $25.00. Payment A Priest Indeed' is enclosed. The powerful film story of how women made the Episcopal Church whole. Name A half-hour docu-drama based on the ordination of Address the first women priests in the Episcopal Church; City commissioned by the Episcopal Church Publishing Co. publication. State Winner of a silver medal and from the International Film Zip" reuse and Television Festival of for New York. Fill out and mail today to: Appearances by Suzanne required Episcopal Church Publishing Ca Hiatt, Barbara Harris, Paul Box 359 Washington, Carter Heyward, Ambler, Pa. 19002 Robert L DeWitt and Charles Willie, all key Permission participants in the Peggy Cerniglia/Ideal Images, Inc., in title role. precedent-shattering 1974 DFMS. / l/2-inch VHS ceremony at the Church of Cassettes Order now for the Advocate in Philadelphia. Church $25 each your Church

Episcopal or Home Film the of Library Archives 2020. The Episcopal Church Publishing Company NONPROFIT ORG. P.O. Box 359 U.S. POSTAGE Ambler, Pennsylvania 19002 PAID Copyright North Wales, Pa. Address Correction Requested Permit No. 121