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In Memoriam
End of the Mainline
Walter Righter, the Episcopalian bishop once charged with heresy, has died.
The Episcopal bishop whose acquittal in a church “heresy” trial 15 years ago ignited the ongoing schism within the U.S. Episcopal Church and the global Anglican Communion died last week in Pittsburgh.
Bishop Walter Righter, 87, set off a firestorm of controversy when he ordained an openly non-celibate homosexual man to the Episcopal deaconate in 1990. His heresy trial concluded in 1996 with a 7-1 dismissal of charges by a panel of fellow bishops. The episode further stoked disputes over scriptural authority and sexual ethics within America’s once historically most prestigious Mainline denomination.
“I look around the Episcopal Church today where there are no impediments to the ordination of gay or lesbian members.… None of that would have happened without Bishop Righter’s leadership,” pronounced a prominent pro-gay rights California priest in a Righter obituary. “When the history of the movement for the full inclusion of the LGBT community in our church is written, there is no doubt that Walter Righter will be one of its great heroes.”
At the time of his well-publicized trial, Bishop Righter had told one newspaper: “I think we’re making too much out of the bedroom.”
Like many liberal prelates who fancy their supposed boldness in challenging Christian orthodoxy even as they embrace a far more suffocating secular liberal orthodoxy, Righter was proud of his “heresy” charges. He reportedly introduced himself at the trial as “Walter Righter, the heretic,” while his beaming wife’s name tag unabashedly declared “heretic’s wife.”
The complaint against Righter was brought by 10 conservative Episcopal bishops who, at the time of the verdict, seemed surprised and unprepared for the almost inevitable victory for sexual revolution within the Episcopal Church. Liberal skepticism of biblical authority, the virgin birth, and bodily resurrection of Christ, and other historic doctrines had swelled within the Episcopal Church’s upper reaches for many decades prior to the Righter trial. Traditionalists had long complained about enthroned revisionism but never fully effectively organized to arrest, much less roll back, its captivity of the denomination’s seminaries, agencies, and ruling councils. Righter’s court in 1996 ruled that Episcopalianism had no core doctrine about homosexual behavior. But it may as well have ruled that the denomination had no essential teaching except for devoted adherence to America’s liberal secular fads.
The twice-divorced Righter’s ordination of Barry Stopfel, who was living “in a sexual partnership” with another man, would ultimately lay the groundwork for the consecration of the church’s first openly partnered homosexual bishop, Gene Robinson, in 2003.
In backing Righter, the church court’s majority wrote that Episcopalian “core doctrine,” such as proclaiming Jesus Christ’s divinity, contained nothing barring a bishop from ordaining a homosexual as a deacon or priest. Of course, the polemical New Jersey bishop for whom Righter then worked, Bishop John Shelby Spong, was long since infamous for denying Christ’s deity, or at least reinterpreting it as merely metaphorical window dressing. Spong himself never faced a heresy trial, and conservative bishops probably wanted to deny the media-hungry Spong the pleasure of such a spotlight.
Righter was neither the first Episcopal Church bishop in recent decades charged with heresy nor the first bishop to ordain a non-celibate homosexual. A similar heresy trial charging California Bishop James Pike was narrowly averted on three separate occasions in the 1960s, as the bishop had publicly rejected the virgin birth and other Christian teachings. The failure of other bishops to remove Pike until his 1969 resignation is also seen as a milestone in the Episcopal Church’s move from orthodoxy.
In 1989, Newark Bishop John Shelby Spong had ordained another active homosexual, Robert Williams, which led the Episcopal Church’s General Convention to “disassociate” itself from Spong’s action. The Episcopal Church’s statute on limitations had expired on Spong by the time of Righter’s trial. Williams, who was HIV-positive, later died weakened from AIDS. Of course, Spong continued to ordain actively and openly homosexual priests while forming a second career around his rejection of traditional Christianity through initially provocative but ultimately tiresome revisionist books that championed a stale liberal orthodoxy.
“Jack [Spong] and the presiding bishop [of the Episcopal Church] agreed it was better for Jack not to ordain Barry Stopfel… because he [Spong] was a lightning rod for controversy, and I was kind of a safe person from Iowa, and not too many people paid attention to me,” Righter once recounted to Religion News Service.
Stopfel went on to become an Episcopal priest in 1991, but the Righter trial took a toll on him and on his relationship with another male priest. After a brief tenure as rector of a New Jersey congregation, the homosexual clergyman departed to focus on writing and speaking on the subject of sexual intimacy and God. ”How is it that erotic touch can be filled with God, sexual touch can be holy touch?” Stopfel speculated in a 1999 New York Times interview. “How there is healing redemption there. And how it is that the church sees sexual intimacy as anti-God.”
According to the Times, Stopfel was exploring other ways of ministry outside of a parish. He especially wanted to reach those who left the church because of its supposed inability to address their questions on both theological and social issues. ”People are leaving the church in droves,” Stopfel said. ”I want to start an independent ministry for people with serious questions and who want to find a spiritual path. I believe the Episcopal Church has the elasticity to do this.”
Righter’s beginnings in the priesthood did not initially showcase theological “elasticity.” The future bishop ministered at conservative congregations near Pittsburgh, which remains an outpost of conservative Anglicanism. He served from 1972 to 1988 as diocesan bishop in Iowa, relocating to Newark for his 1989-1991 tenure under Spong and later returning to Southwestern Pennsylvania in retirement.
“Bishop Righter is one of the giants on whose shoulders gay and lesbian Christians stand,” openly homosexual New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Calling Righter “a faithful and prophetic servant,” Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori solemnly told Episcopal News Service that the bishop “will be remembered for his pastoral heart and his steadfast willingness to help the church move beyond old prejudices into new possibilities.” She did not mention how Righter’s trial eventually divided her church in the U.S., estranged it from much of overseas Anglicanism, and accelerated an already unsustainable membership drain.
Righter was a World War II veteran who fought at the Battle of the Bulge. Later he attended seminary at Yale. He exemplified the public service and distinguished WASP ascendancy of many Mainline Protestant elites, especially Episcopalians. Such men for centuries either ran or inspired much of America until the 1960s and 1970s, when they sadly lost faith in many of the virtues that ennobled their institutions. Their decline was a loss for America. May Bishop Righter rest in peace, and may many learn from his legacy.
About the Author
Jeff Walton directs the Anglican program at the Institute on Religion and Democracy in Washington, D.C.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (30) | Leave a comment
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Dick Nome| 9.21.11 @ 6:59AM
The secularization and denial of traditional doctrine is why the Episcopal church is dying and followers are fleeing. We are fighting this in the Presbyterian church as well. The same kind of arrogant leadership we see in politics is trying to tell the faithful that political correctness ois more important and long held foundations of faith and culture are now unacceptable.
Dan Hirsch| 9.21.11 @ 12:19PM
I offer you an argument I have used successfully in the past:
"If a man came to his bishop and said, 'I am a murderer. I have murdered in the past, I intend to murder in the future, I do not regret my murderous acts. But I want to preach the Gospel.' Is he fit for the pulpit?" If the answer is "Yes," it's time to bolt...
The Bible is unequivocal about homosexual acts being sinful, in both Testaments. It is also unequivocal about repentance, you must. And it is unequivocal about forgiveness of one's brother. However, he who trades on an infinite series of forgivenesses for sins he obviously intends to repeat cannot expect to find himself in God's favor. And men should not elevate him to a position church leadership.
I am reminded of two things: the first, as a lad in parochial school, I was always amazed at how often this question came up in religion class:
"So, if I lead an evil life, but at the very last second of my life ask God's forgiveness, will I still go to heaven?"
And the telling of the 'Mafia's' killing of some wannabe wise guy who was condemned by his own organization. He was taken to a meeting at which he thought he was going to be made a 'made' guy. They took him into a room, where he suddenly realized that, no, he was not there to be made, he was there to be killed. He begged them,
"Willya gimme a minute to pray?" His killers' response:
"No, no prayer for you!" So even they took no chances on him gaining salvation with a last second confession...
Do they really think God does not get this?
Sheesh, good luck for them that don't! Church lasts an hour, hell lasts forever...
DTOM
Patrick| 9.21.11 @ 3:38PM
It comes down to one thing: repentance.
Leftists, who believe themselves always right, are incapable of it. Conservatives on the other hand, know that they are mortal and prone to folly, must wrestle with self-doubts that no liberal could endure.
Are my intentions pure? But the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Are my actions just? Do my words come from courage or boast? Am I being kind or am I enabling my brother? These things would lead a liberal to madness, and they haunt us every day.
Mike D.| 9.21.11 @ 6:13PM
Oddly enough, some of the ex-episcopal priests are now enrolling in eastern orthodox christian sects after bailing out.
Apple Annie| 9.22.11 @ 10:09AM
And many more are returning to the Catholic Church. Entire parishes in some cases. Those coming home are being allowed their liturgy. They will have their own extra ordinary leader..Bishop. The Catholic Church in England is working with many parishes and clergy. Reasons are obvious. What's the legacy of this obit? A divided Anglican/Episcopal church. Sad for the loyal and prayerful people.
Kevin Dunn| 9.21.11 @ 7:22AM
Sighted an Episcopal bishop: "Oh Dear!"
"Still discrimination, I fear."
When they asked "Oh. but why?"
He replied: "They deny
Me maternity leave for diarrhoea."
Conserdude| 9.21.11 @ 10:06AM
The Episcopal church has long become a joke, and a heretical joke at that, for its long tolerance and endorsement of such anti-Christian ministers.
POST American| 9.21.11 @ 10:12AM
----Putting this sideshow to the side----
If you please, some sustainted critical
attention to 33rd degree Freemason, and
erstwhile 'tell--A--vangelist' Pat Robertson's
nod to the expedient agendas of EUGENICS
with an A---O.K. to the idea of shluffing off
the spouse of your youth should they happen to
be so troublesome as to contract Alzheimer's.
------BOTTOMLESS LINES on top for this one-----
Citizen Jerry| 9.21.11 @ 10:13AM
The embrace and celebration of homosexual behavior is only one of the myriad of heresies now fully believed by the once-noble Episcopal Church. When Gene Robinson was elevated to bishop in 2003, many of us saw the writing on the wall and fled for our souls' sakes.
Sadly, the Episcopal Church has become little more than a homoerotic cult that likes to dress up in fancy vestments. But it is now Icabod -- the glory of the Lord has departed.
Patrick| 9.21.11 @ 3:42PM
What's next? Temple prostitution?
http://firstthings.com/blogs/e.....-proposal/
This is absurd today, but as Drudgereport has shown, even the Onion gets the absurd right in time.
Mike Hawk| 9.21.11 @ 8:51PM
Jim McGreevy or is that McGreedy fled to the Episcopal seminary after resigning in disgrace as corrupt/immoral Gov of NJ.
Canisius| 9.21.11 @ 10:44AM
My God I thought it was bad for us Catholics, the Catholic clergy is loaded with queers, but I can tell you that there is a counter revolution of laity that is going to change things. The time is coming where the Faithful will use force to rip out the rot that has been allowed to fester, and we will put a stake through the heart of the "spirit of vatican II... God Bless you Michael Voris
A.M. Mallett| 9.21.11 @ 1:00PM
There is not a whole lot of difference between the two groups.
Apple Annie| 9.22.11 @ 10:11AM
I don't believe you are a Catholic.
Sheila| 9.21.11 @ 10:53AM
We are among the thousands who have fled the heresy of the modern, American Episcopal church. We feel most at home with classical Anglican worship, but without Bible-based faith and solid scriptural theology, a beautiful liturgy is void of meaning. May Righter be reaping his just reward.
Ralph| 9.21.11 @ 12:32PM
In Catholic high school religion class, we were told that gays were a gift from God to the priesthood and religious life.
Are they keeping their vows of celibacy? Some yes, some no. But they're not openly admitting it or trying to change the "system." Considering that acting on homosexual urges is sinful, I'm supposing those erroneous clergy have and will receive the sacrament of reconciliation and keep on trying to keep their vows. Nothing I need or care to know about. Why couldn't the Episcopal clergy do the same?
And please, no anti Catholic comments regarding the pedophilia priest issue, it's not the same thing.
MOS was 71331| 9.21.11 @ 3:12PM
Ralph, you say "In Catholic high school religion class, we were told that gays were a gift from God to the priesthood and religious life." In what Catholic high school were you told this? My religious instruction at Mount Calvary Catholic School near Suitland, Maryland, from 1953 to 1955 never mentioned homosexuality. I hope the concept got less class time at your unidentified school than, say, papal infallibility.
CalMark| 9.21.11 @ 6:04PM
You were taught by someone with a pro-gay agenda. I once heard a Catholic priest (in--take a wild guess--San Francisco) give a virulently pro-gay, straight-bashing homily using the same "Gays are a gift from God" language--that doesn't make "gay rights" a church teaching.
For Catholics, chastity is mandatory for all, and one is either celibate (temporary or permanent) or married. Dating is for discernment of marriage, between one man and one woman. Openly professing one's homosexuality at best endorses a "lifestyle" forbidden by Catholicism.
Catholics supporting open homosexuality--whether for themselves or others--are trying to force their own faddish "values" on their church. Instead of grandstanding, they should find another religion.
A.M. Mallett| 9.21.11 @ 12:59PM
Is the deceased man now holding spots in hell for his beneficiaries?
Dan Hirsch| 9.21.11 @ 2:09PM
No reservations required-it's festival seating!!!
Kevin Dunn| 9.21.11 @ 1:49PM
You need to apprecite English accents for this one
There was an old bishop of Wadhom
Who asked for a ticket to Sodom.
When they said: "We prefer
Not to issue them, Sir."
He said; "Don't call me Sir, call me Modom."
Kevin Dunn| 9.21.11 @ 1:55PM
And here is a sad one:
The bishop of Upper St. Just
Was ensnared, by unnatural lust;
with passionate howls
He deflowered young owls
And a little green lizard, that bust,
Occam's Tool| 9.21.11 @ 3:07PM
They are losing members hand over fist. In addition, Mainline Liberal Protestant Congregations are far more antisemitic than Evangelical denominations, on the whole.
Rick Santorum| 9.21.11 @ 8:37PM
You are so dead wrong on both counts.
Quartermaster| 9.22.11 @ 7:13PM
He is quite correct. You need to keep with the rest of us. Getting out more would help.
CalMark| 9.21.11 @ 5:20PM
Conservative Anglicans have begun to leave their church for Catholicism. If Righter's ideology is formally affirmed later this year, the trickle may turn to a mass exodus. The New Age "tolerance" or "new morality," with its supposed inclusiveness, is actually killing the Anglican church. Its "leaders" are too proud of themselves to notice--or care.
That is Bishop Righter's legacy.
IzeHavitt| 9.23.11 @ 12:29AM
This reminds me of the parable, methinks in Matthew 13, where Jesus of Nazareth spoke of the good seed and the tares of the field. The tares are "the children of the wicked." He who hath ears to hear....let him hear.
Donald in KC| 9.21.11 @ 6:52PM
I am a confirmed Anglican and attend a parish that withdrew from the Episcopal Diocese, a sad and difficult experience. And, because of that strategic change our parish is flourishing. We insisted on a bold adherence to Scripture and historic orthodoxy.
There is a growing Anglican church in America quite separate from Episcopalianism. This is also true within the Church of England. Orthodox Christianity is alive and well even though it is rarely discussed within the popular media.
Kevin Dunn| 9.22.11 @ 1:46AM
I have just discovered a good conservative Anglican blog by "Archbishop Cramner" attached to the British Daily Mail. Well worth a look, and I don't think anything in it would offend Catlolics.
POST American| 9.22.11 @ 12:23AM
--------------------BOTTOM LINE----------------------
----AGAIN
Peeling away the 6 decades and more of
Rockefellow EUGENICS infiltration and
subversion of the American
christian establishment via their sleaze-op
'Council of Churches'
-----taking a good deep look on those stats
about 90% of the leadership of the Baptist
establishment (--and no doubt, worse for
the Methodists/ Episcopalians/ Lutherans
etc.) ---being members of occlt Freemasonry
----------------AND roundly taking in the revelations
that the Hearst set up, admitted
Arminian Heretic, Billy Graham, who rang
not a single bell during the very heyday of
the RED China TREASON OP ----is himself
a full-blown 33rd degree Mason
---------------WHO'S going to be the first to
call for 33rd degree Freemason, infiltrator
Pat Robertson to be REMOVED from his post?