Reverend Walter Righter Dead: Episcopal Bishop Who Won Heresy Trial Dies At 87

By Josef Kuhn
Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS) The Rt. Rev. Walter C. Righter, an Episcopal bishop whose victory at a 1996 heresy trial played a key role in the push for gay rights in the church, died on Sunday (Sept. 11) at the age of 87.

"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," said the Rev. Susan Russell of All Saints Church in Pasadena, Calif., former president of the pro-gay group Integrity USA.

Righter was bishop of Iowa from 1972 to 1988, during which time he ordained the first female deacon in Iowa. From 1989 to 1991, he served as assistant bishop in the Diocese of Newark.

Righter ordained Barry Lee Stopfel, a noncelibate gay man, as a deacon in 1990. Ten bishops brought charges against Righter, alleging that he violated both 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.

A member of the court, Bishop Cabell Tennis, told The New York Times that the verdict offered neither an opinion "on the morality of same-gender relationships" nor guidance on whether a bishop "should or should not" ordain sexually active gays and lesbians.

When asked after the trial to speculate on the future of homosexuality in the church, Righter told The Times, "I think we're
making too much out of the bedroom."

The Episcopal Church now has two openly gay bishops and allows for the ordination of gays and lesbians in most dioceses, and will likely debate formalized rites for same-sex unions at its General Convention next year.

"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," said Russell.

WATCH: How Openly Gay Bishop, Gene Robinson Finds Strength In Spirituality

Comments

[AUveritas]

02:19 PM on 09/19/2011

Such a progressive chuch, fashioning a god in their image and all. The only question I have is, why bother being a Christian? You disagree with the God you claim to worship, view Holy Scriptures as outdated, etc. Why not just start your own religion?

[iknowscottyknows]

07:12 PM on 09/14/2011

Now he will find the righteous justice he sought.

[Inannawhimsey]

07:48 AM on 09/15/2011

Indeed, through the people He has touched.

[iknowscottyknows]

10:55 PM on 09/15/2011

That will be one measure.

[Mac1000]

02:11 PM on 09/14/2011

RIP

[Treehuggindirtworshiper]

10:06 AM on 09/14/2011

Wow! I'm Episcopalian and hadn't heard of this part of our history. What a brave and loyal servant. Rest in peace Bishop Righter.

[Albert Westpy]

09:03 PM on 09/13/2011

A true man of God ! Rest in Peace

[leyvadaniel]

05:02 PM on 09/13/2011

A man of God. May he rest in peace and may God bless him.

[Balancement]

03:15 PM on 09/13/2011

He fulfills the definition of "Prophet." Thank you, Bishop Righter--you have earned your rest.

[Watching rock grow]

01:01 PM on 09/13/2011

"I think we're making too much out of the bedroom." Rev. Walter Righter.

A quote that needs repeating if ever there was one.

[iknowscottyknows]

07:13 PM on 09/14/2011

Unfortunately, gays want the government involved. That means me. And I'll vote no every time.

[dschiff]

11:48 AM on 09/13/2011

Hopefully his example will inspire other religious leaders to bring their religions away from scripture and dogma, and instead to embrace human rights and their gay brothers and sisters.

[zepgeist]

10:02 AM on 09/13/2011

Rest in Peace Bishop Righter

Hell?....what century are some of you people living in? There's no such thing. Now.....go out and check your sundials or you may be late for work

[AUveritas]

02:12 PM on 09/19/2011

Proof?

[mikevab]

09:18 AM on 09/13/2011

A great man, his leadership and loving spirit will be missed. The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

[Cranmer1549]

09:11 AM on 09/13/2011

"I think we're making too much out of the bedroom."

A lot of people make too much of what other people do in the bedroom. Let's worry about what's going on in our own bedrooms and leave other people alone.

[iknowscottyknows]

07:14 PM on 09/14/2011

Then why do gays want the government involved in their sex life? Big no-no. Now I have to get involved.

[Inannawhimsey]

07:45 AM on 09/15/2011

What calibre?

[ZENNEPHI]

12:46 AM on 09/13/2011

As an Anglo Saxen Transgendered Man, I Affirm personal Abstence in setting an example
for my Brothers and Sisters, adhering to the Christian Gosple of Jesus Christ.
Saint Paul's admonition at Corinth that Some men are not to Marry, and are neither given
nor taken in Marriage is a "Sermon in Stone".
..."Some Men are Borne of there Mother's Womb, While Other Men are Borne of Other
Men, Yet Some Men are Borne of the Kingdom,,,And After Going About there Heavenly
Father's Buisness, Move on to Thrive, a Little Bit Below The Angelic Hosts..."
[LDS-NKJV 1611 Thomas/Nelson Trans]

[Balancement]

03:07 PM on 09/13/2011

Really? They capitalize almost every word and use "there" for "their?" Obviously God needs a good copyeditor.

[Inannawhimsey]

07:46 AM on 09/15/2011

Everybody is outsourcing these days.

[leyvadaniel]

05:08 PM on 09/13/2011

What is an Anglo "Saxen"? What is "Abstence"? and not to be rude, but I really don't understand your point. I mean, more power to you if you choose... whatever Abstence is, but I hope is not something you think is for everyone, because it sounds like a disease.

[Daybot]

12:34 AM on 09/13/2011

Red State

[BurtonDesque]

12:27 AM on 09/13/2011

"Heresy trial" & "1996" - what's wrong with this picture?

It will be nice when Christianity finally emerges from the Dark Ages.

[v2787]

09:38 AM on 09/13/2011

I'm not holding my breath on that one. Have you been paying attention to what many of the repuglican politicians are saying and doing to harm the vulnerable while pretending to be followers of Christ? Christianity is still being used as a club to beat some people to death.

[french queen13]

10:14 PM on 09/13/2011

Isn't part of the point that some branches are?

[BurtonDesque]

10:23 PM on 09/13/2011

No, because none of them really are.