WaPo: Walter C. Righter dies; Episcopal bishop played role in gay rights in church

[markpkessinger]

Walter C. Righter dies; Episcopal bishop played role in gay rights in church

By Josef Kuhn, Published: September 12

Walter C. Righter, an Episcopal bishop whose victory in a 1996 heresy trial played a key role in the push for gay rights in the church, died Sept. 11 at his home in Export, Pa. He was 87.

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In 1990, Bishop Righter ordained Barry Lee Stopfel, a non-celibate gay man, as a deacon. Ten bishops brought charges against Bishop Righter, alleging that he violated the doctrine of the church and his ordination vows by ordaining Stopfel.

In a verdict issued on May 15, 1996, a church court stated that the Episcopal Church “has no doctrine prohibiting the ordination of homosexuals,” and that Bishop Righter did not contradict any “core doctrine” of the church.

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When asked after the trial to speculate on the future of homosexuality in the church, Bishop Righter told the Times, “I think we’re making too much out of the bedroom.”

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Read full article at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/walter-c-righter-dies-episcopal-bishop-played-role-in-gay-rights-in-church/2011/09/12/gIQAAcbuNK_story.html

[Deep13]

1. Sorry to hear it.

Still, 87 is a good run.

[LeftishBrit]

2. RIP