The Bishops of West Texas

The bishops of West Texas – the Right Reverends Gary Lillibridge and David Reed – issued this statement on March 22. Here are some highlights from their statement.

"Both of us supported the message to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the primates’ Standing Committee stating the 'urgent need' to meet with them 'at the earliest possible opportunity.' This passed unanimously (something very rare in recent history) . . . ."

Others have observed that the bishops focused on the scheme for a Pastoral Vicar and Primatial Council, and did not act on the primates' demands for an end to consecration or blessings of those in same-sex unions. The bishops concur: "It is inaccurate to say, 'The bishops rejected the Communiqué in its entirety.'"

Bishops Lillibridge and Reed make clear that they voted against the other two resolutions, and they outline their reasons. They say: "It is our position . . .that the letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the primates’ Standing Committee would have been sufficient for this gathering . . . . The other two documents would have been better left to the requested meeting [of the House of Bishops in September]. However, a majority of bishops felt it was important to make a statement that conveyed their views at this time." This is an interesting revelation, when taken in tandem with their statement that 2/3 of the bishops voted for those other two resolutions.

Like so many on the left and right ends of the spectrum, the bishops of West Texas comment on the positive tone of the bishops' deliberations: "Despite the strong and clear differences within the House of Bishops, our deliberations were thoughtful and respectful, often set within the context of the mission to which our Lord calls us at home and abroad."

Click here to read their full statement.

[Edit & apology: I am grateful to a reader who caught my blunder when I first posted this story, stupidly referring to the Diocese of "Northwest" Texas. Apologies to my friends in Texas, where I spent some of the best years of my life. I hope I have now corrected the references in this story. As our generous commenter observes, "+Gary and +David are the bishops of the Diocese of WEST Texas - which, strangely, is actually located in South Texas." It's a Texas thing.]