First Openly Gay Episcopal Bishop

"Obviously a handful of our church leaders are still upset and would like to see the church never ordain and never baptize a gay or lesbian person... We need to refocus on more life-and-death issues like starvation, education, medical care." Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, November 2, 2007

"I will continue to labor for a church that is welcoming and inclusive of all in every aspect of its life, governance and ministry. In particular, this means that I will continue to champion the justice ministry toward full inclusion of gay and lesbian persons in our church, including their full access to all orders of ministry and the liturgical blessing of the church on the committed, life long relationships of gay and lesbian couples." Thomas C. Ely, Episcopal Bishop of Vermont, Nov. 3, 2007