Episcopal Diocese Won’t Take Action Against Priest

The Episcopal Diocese of Newark, N.J., plans to take no action against a controversial gay priest who says he will perform “gay marriages” even though his bishop has ordered him not to function as a priest.

The Rev. Robert Williams of Jersey City, who gained nationwide attention early this year when he made widely publicized comments disparaging monogamy and celibacy, announced that he would be available to perform “blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples.”

Archdeacon Leslie Smith, spokesman for the Diocese of Newark, said Tuesday that the diocese would not respond to Williams’ announcement--continuing a policy the diocese has taken ever since Williams was forced to resign his position as director of The Oasis, a diocesan ministry to homosexuals based in Hoboken.

Smith said Williams’ announcement was “non-news” and called his actions “just a continuation of a pattern Robert has been in since February of this year.”

Because neither the Episcopal Church nor the state recognizes the blessing of same-sex couples as a legal marriage, there is some question as to whether Williams is fulfilling a priestly function in performing such ceremonies.

Asked if a policy of ignoring Williams’ actions could lead to a breakdown of ecclesiastical authority, Smith said, “I am not worried about that. We don’t have a problem with authority in this diocese. . . . It is not a diocese that is awash with disobedience or uncooperative priests.”

In his statement, Williams said he was making himself available to bless same-sex unions because The Oasis has decided not to bless gay unions as a result of pressure from church conservatives.

“This is an important ministry that many gay and lesbian couples want and need,” Williams’ statement says. “Since the most liberal diocese of the most liberal mainstream Christian denomination has refused to respond (to) this need, I want it to be known that I, as an individual Christian priest, will continue to respond as I have been all along.”

Smith disagreed that The Oasis has decided against same-sex union ceremonies. He said the The Oasis is exploring the possibility “very carefully” with a view to setting up appropriate guidelines.

Bishop John Spong ordained Williams in a highly publicized ceremony in December--despite a resolution by the church’s General Convention that calls ordination of practicing homosexuals “inappropriate.”

Angered by Spong’s actions, laity, clergy and bishops have called for disciplining the Newark prelate. The House of Bishops is expected to address at least some of those calls when it meets Sept. 15-20 in Washington.