NH Bishop Gene Robinson to Give "We Are One" Inaugural Invocation Kicking Off Week's Activities

[furrbear]

From Bishop Gene Robinson: [via Episcopal Cafe]

"I am writing to tell you that President-Elect Obama and the Inaugural Committee have invited me to give the invocation at the opening event of the Inaugural Week activities, “We are One,” to be held at the Lincoln Memorial, Sunday, January 18, at 2:00 pm. It will be an enormous honor to offer prayers for the country and the new president, standing on the holy ground where the “I have a dream speech” was delivered by Dr. King, surrounded by the inspiring and reconciling words of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. It is also an indication of the new president’s commitment to being the President of ALL the people. I am humbled and overjoyed at this invitation, and it will be my great honor to be there representing the Episcopal Church, the people of New Hampshire, and all of us in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community."

From Integrity USA's press release:

Integrity is delighted at today’s announcement of New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson’s role in the upcoming Inaugural celebrations. Following on the heels of yesterday’s selection of the Rev. Sharon E. Watkins as the first woman preacher for the January 21st National Prayer Service, today’s news is yet another indication that we are entering an historic era of diversity and inclusion.

“Bishop Robinson’s selection by the President-elect to pray God’s blessings on the opening event of the Inaugural week is good news not only for gay and lesbian Americans but for all who share the audacious hope of a nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all are created equal,” said Integrity President Susan Russell.

“It also gives us hope that the age of an ‘America’s Pastor’ is behind us and that we enter a new era where diverse voices of faith speak from the particularity of their own experience of God’s grace, love and power. While there are many miles to go before we are done with racism, sexism and homophobia in this country, we look forward to Barack Obama’s inauguration, to Sharon Watkins’ sermon and to Gene Robinson’s prayers as signs of great progress and profound hope.

NEWS:

Gay bishop will open inaugural -- Politico

Gay bishop get role in inauguration event -- Reuters

Gay Episcopal Bishop Tapped for Obama Inauguration -- US News & World Report

Bishop Robinson gets inaugural role -- Boston Globe

New Hampshire Bishop invited to offer prayers -- Episcopal Life

Openly gay bishop to offer first inaugural invocation -- CNN

N.H. bishop invited to D.C. to give prayer --Concord Monitor

BLOGS:

Huffington Post

Comments

[s2dbaker.livejournal.com]

I think Gene Robinson should take Rick Warren's place and if Obama is still feeling 'Inclusive', put Rick Warren in the non-televised spot. If he's really feeling super-duper inclusive, have David Duke give a big speech about White Supremacy as well, that way everyone is included.

[kenwoodville.livejournal.com]

I'm going to see Bishop Robinson preach and speak in Seattle tonight and I'm delighted at the news that he will open the inugural.

[allanh.livejournal.com]

Good first move. I only wish they'd make a brilliant second move and ditch Rick Warren.

[ursusarctos.livejournal.com]

Not as good as not having inviting Warren to start with, but at least an acknowledgment that Team Obama fucked up.
The squeaky wheels do get the grease.
It's a shame that under Clinton the grease was a prelude to a bad fuck and under BushCo the grease was a cheap chinese import that had shards of glass insuring permanent damage. MAYBE Team Obama will be a bit more 'enlightened' before they fuck us over with symbolic crap like Warren and not screw us over on the real issues.

[teddyb.livejournal.com]

I'm very happy to hear that Bishop Robinson has been invited, though I understand the viewpoint that it doesn't make up for a ****head like Rich Warren also having been included.

Whatever message anyone might take away from the selection of Rick Warren, there should be no missing that fact that Obama chose Bishop Robinson at least in part because of Robinson's very high visibility association with the struggle for equal rights for gay people.