A Statement from The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire

With regard to the Issuance of Invitations to the Lambeth Conference, 2008

May 22, 2007

It is with great disappointment that I receive word from the Archbishop of Canterbury that I will not be included in the invitation list for the Lambeth Conference, 2008.  At a time when the Anglican Communion is calling for a “listening process” on the issue of homosexuality, it makes no sense to exclude gay and lesbian people from that conversation.  It is time that the Bishops of the Anglican Communion stop talking about gay and lesbian people and start talking with us.

While I appreciate the acknowledgement that I am a duly elected and consecrated Bishop of the Church, the refusal to include me among all the other duly elected and consecrated Bishops of the Church is an affront to the entire Episcopal Church.  This is not about Gene Robinson, nor the Diocese of New Hampshire.  It is about the American Church and its relationship to the Communion.  It is for The Episcopal Church to respond to this challenge, and in due time, I assume we will do so.  In the meantime, I will pray for Archbishop Rowan and our beloved Anglican Communion.