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CNN Live At Daybreak
Some Conservative Episcopalians Considering Breaking Away
Aired August 11, 2003 - 05:50 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The Reverend Gene Robinson returned to his home church for the first time since becoming the first openly gay Episcopalian confirmed as bishop. Dressed in street clothes, Robinson led the final blessing at St. Paul's Church in Concord, New Hampshire. Robinson says he believes his confirmation will strengthen the church by highlighting its diversity.
Still, some conservative Episcopalians are considering breaking away.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that the Episcopal Church made the right decision.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As far as the whole big issue, I have trouble with people who put people into boxes and the thing, the reoccurring theme that comes up in my heart is what would Jesus do.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've had a number of people this week who told me they would not be coming here anymore because of it, not be coming to -- not come to any Episcopal churches anymore.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: For more on Gene Robinson's return, we want to check in with our friends in the Granite State, Mark Ericson and Danielle Carrier, better known as the WOKQ waking crew in Portsmouth and Manchester, New Hampshire. Can't forget Manchester there.
They're on the phone with us right now.
Hello.
DANIELLE CARRIER, WOKQ CORRESPONDENT: Hello.
MARK ERICSON, WOKQ CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
COSTELLO: Good morning.
So, Bishop Robinson talked to parishioners on Sunday. Do you know what he said?
ERICSON: Well, you know, he's -- everyone is keeping this low key. No one is -- one -- no one is calling this a triumph, no one is calling this a victory. The Reverend David Jones at St. Paul's introduced him over the weekend and the parishioners applauded. He said just a few welcoming words and afterwards, after the service, he was hugged by many of the parishioners.
COSTELLO: You know you have to wonder when this controversy will die down or if it will die down.
ERICSON: Well, if is probably the better question. And surprisingly, over the weekend, churches of all denominations were, in some form or another, talking about this.
CARRIER: Several churches actually, a lot of pastors had actually been preparing their speeches for more than two weeks on exactly what to say and how to touch on this topic.
COSTELLO: And do you know how they did touch on it in churches of other denominations?
ERICSON: I would say gingerly would be the word, Carol.
CARRIER: Yes. Not many wanted to bring excitement to the topic nor not many wanted to ignore the topic in respect to all the opinions that are out there.
COSTELLO: Did the folks up in New Hampshire expect all of this outcry when, you know, when he was brought up to be bishop?
ERICSON: Well, Episcopalians in the state, they overwhelmingly elected him so I don't think anyone was expecting such a huge outcry. And then, of course, the election became a little more exciting for a few brief moments in deference to an e-mail from a Vermont parishioner.
COSTELLO: I guess did they realize that there might be a split in the Episcopal Church because of this?
ERICSON: Well, that seems to be something that they are now working a little damage control on. It seems as though they are starting to hear from some people who are saying they're not coming to a particular church because of this and they are now trying to get parishioners to, well, I don't want to say tow the mark, but I think they want parishioners to stay calm and try to keep an open mind.
COSTELLO: All right, Mark and Danielle, thank you for joining us this morning.
We appreciate the insight.
Mark Ericson, Danielle Carrier, the WOKQ waking crew.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 11, 2003 - 05:50 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The Reverend Gene Robinson returned to his home church for the first time since becoming the first openly gay Episcopalian confirmed as bishop. Dressed in street clothes, Robinson led the final blessing at St. Paul's Church in Concord, New Hampshire. Robinson says he believes his confirmation will strengthen the church by highlighting its diversity.
Still, some conservative Episcopalians are considering breaking away.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that the Episcopal Church made the right decision.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As far as the whole big issue, I have trouble with people who put people into boxes and the thing, the reoccurring theme that comes up in my heart is what would Jesus do.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've had a number of people this week who told me they would not be coming here anymore because of it, not be coming to -- not come to any Episcopal churches anymore.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: For more on Gene Robinson's return, we want to check in with our friends in the Granite State, Mark Ericson and Danielle Carrier, better known as the WOKQ waking crew in Portsmouth and Manchester, New Hampshire. Can't forget Manchester there.
They're on the phone with us right now.
Hello.
DANIELLE CARRIER, WOKQ CORRESPONDENT: Hello.
MARK ERICSON, WOKQ CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
COSTELLO: Good morning.
So, Bishop Robinson talked to parishioners on Sunday. Do you know what he said?
ERICSON: Well, you know, he's -- everyone is keeping this low key. No one is -- one -- no one is calling this a triumph, no one is calling this a victory. The Reverend David Jones at St. Paul's introduced him over the weekend and the parishioners applauded. He said just a few welcoming words and afterwards, after the service, he was hugged by many of the parishioners.
COSTELLO: You know you have to wonder when this controversy will die down or if it will die down.
ERICSON: Well, if is probably the better question. And surprisingly, over the weekend, churches of all denominations were, in some form or another, talking about this.
CARRIER: Several churches actually, a lot of pastors had actually been preparing their speeches for more than two weeks on exactly what to say and how to touch on this topic.
COSTELLO: And do you know how they did touch on it in churches of other denominations?
ERICSON: I would say gingerly would be the word, Carol.
CARRIER: Yes. Not many wanted to bring excitement to the topic nor not many wanted to ignore the topic in respect to all the opinions that are out there.
COSTELLO: Did the folks up in New Hampshire expect all of this outcry when, you know, when he was brought up to be bishop?
ERICSON: Well, Episcopalians in the state, they overwhelmingly elected him so I don't think anyone was expecting such a huge outcry. And then, of course, the election became a little more exciting for a few brief moments in deference to an e-mail from a Vermont parishioner.
COSTELLO: I guess did they realize that there might be a split in the Episcopal Church because of this?
ERICSON: Well, that seems to be something that they are now working a little damage control on. It seems as though they are starting to hear from some people who are saying they're not coming to a particular church because of this and they are now trying to get parishioners to, well, I don't want to say tow the mark, but I think they want parishioners to stay calm and try to keep an open mind.
COSTELLO: All right, Mark and Danielle, thank you for joining us this morning.
We appreciate the insight.
Mark Ericson, Danielle Carrier, the WOKQ waking crew.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
