Bill Love

William Howard "Bill" Love (born August 14, 1957, in Dallas, Texas) is the 9th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany in the United States. A theological conservative, he is a prominent leader of conservative or traditional Anglicans at a time of disunity and disagreement in the Anglican Communion over theological interpretations of a range of issues surrounding human sexuality, especially the inclusion of homosexual men and women in the ordained ministry and the blessing of same-sex unions.

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Early education, career, and marriage

Love attended Southwest Texas State University and SUNY Plattsburgh, where he received a bachelor's degree. He received his Master's degree in Divinity in 1991 from Nashotah House, the "high church" Episcopal seminary. He was ordained a deacon in 1991, and a priest in 1992. Love served as a curate at the Cathedral of All Saints for a year, during which time he served as a delegate to the church's National Convention. He became rector of St. Mary's Church in Lake Luzerne, New York, near Lake George, New York, where he served for 14 years. He is married to his wife, Karen, and they have two teen-aged children.[1][2]

Bishop of Albany

Love was elected bishop coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, after several ballots in a highly contested election, on March 25, 2006; he received the consent of the General Convention that summer in Columbus, Ohio.[2][3][4]

He was consecrated bishop by the Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, on September 16, 2006, at the Empire State Plaza[5] Amongst the Co-Consecrators and Con-Celebrants were 8th Bishop of Albany Daniel W. Herzog, David J. Bena (at the time Bishop Suffragan of Albany), 7th Bishop of Albany David Standish Ball and Harold Miller, Bishop of Down and Dromore in Ireland.[2][6]

On Bishop Herzog's retirement, Bishop Love was installed in the cathedra in the choir at Albany's historic Cathedral of All Saints, as the 9th bishop of Albany.

"The mainstream of Anglican life and teaching"

Love has consistently stood for the "orthodox" view of scriptures and the stance of the church on human sexuality, but has also sought to avoid extreme statements and actions, but rather to steer a middle ground between opposing viewpoints. He has come to be regarded as leader of a "loyal opposition" in the Episcopal Church. In his own words:

The Diocese of Albany, as demonstrated by the results of the Primates’ meeting, stands in the mainstream of Anglican life and teaching. By the grace of God, we will continue to do so. Keeping our focus on Jesus Christ, it is imperative that we reach out to one another in Christian love and charity, treating all people with dignity and respect. As Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are called by our Lord to be obedient to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with all who will receive it. I ask for the prayers of each member of this Diocese as we continue to move forward in answer to our Lord’s call. May God use each one of us as an instrument of His love and healing grace in this torn and broken world.[7][8]

On January 19, 2008, Love celebrated the eucharist at St. Andrew's church in Albany while hosting a visit by Dr Bonnie Anderson, president of the Episcopal Church's House of Deputies. A dialogue followed between progressives from Via media and the more conservative representatives of the church, and "stressed unity and communication." Both liberals and conservatives in the diocese praised Bishop Love for attending the event.[9][10][11] The national church's web site posted a highly laudatory story about the event, quoting several of the 300 attendees at the event, including Bishop Love.[12]

In June 2008, under Bishop Love's leadership, the Episcopal Diocese of Albany passed a resolution stating that only heterosexual marriages may be celebrated within the Diocese.[13] After the resolution was passed, Bishop Love was quoted as stating that "the important thing ... is that God loves all people, regardless of where they might be in their life. That doesn't necessarily mean he approves of all of our behaviors."[13]

In July 2009, Love gained National attention when he explained his views at the Epsicopal Church's convention in Anaheim, California.[14] At a news conference organized by conservatives at that meeting, Love said "It is breaking my heart to see the church destroy itself."[14] Yet he vowed to remained within the Episcopal Church.[14] Love continued to be in the news in October 2009, when he commented on the state of the church after the Vatican, in the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus, announced a canonical framework to integrate groups of disaffected Anglicans into the Roman Catholic Church.[15] Love was quoted as saying, "What state we are in when we get through this, only God knows ..."[15] He also acknowledged that two parishes in the Diocese of Albany are attempting to leave the Episcopal Church.[15]

References

  1. ^ Rutger's data base. Accessed January 22, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c Albany Episcopalian official web site. Accessed January 22, 2008.
  3. ^ Episcopal News Service official web site. Accessed January 22, 2008.
  4. ^ Report of Bishop Bishop Ken Price of Southern Ohio. Accessed January 22, 2008.
  5. ^ video and link to Anglican TV web site. Accessed January 22, 2008.
  6. ^ Other Episcopal bishops present were Gladstone B. Adams, III, Bishop of Central New York, Peter H. Beckwith, Bishop of Springfield (Illinois), Robert W. Duncan, then-Bishop of Pittsburgh, Henry Scriven, Assistant Bishop of Pittsburgh, Gordon P. Scruton, Bishop of Western Massachusetts, and Mark S. Sisk, Bishop of New York, as well as Howard James Hubbard, Roman Catholic Bishop of Albany, q.v. at [1].
  7. ^ Classical Anglicanism on line. Accessed January 22, 2008.
  8. ^ Albany Episcopal Diocese official web site. Accessed January 22, 2008.
  9. ^ Marc Parry, "A fractured church seeking common faith: Episcopal leaders discuss -- and disagree on -- the role of gays in their communion," Albany Times Union, January 20, 2008, found at "A fractured church seeking common faith" in the Albany Times Union. Accessed January 22, 2008.
  10. ^ Marc Parry, "Episcopal aide seeks to mend relations: House of Deputies president visits Albany as church faces rift", Albany Times Union, January 18, 2008, found at "Episcopal aide" in the Albany Times Union. Accessed January 22, 2008.
  11. ^ Marc Parry, "Key U.S. Episcopalian to speak in Albany", Albany Times Union, January 17, 2008, found at "Key U.S. Episcopalian to speak in Albany" in the Albany Times Union. Accessed January 22, 2008.
  12. ^ Mary Frances Schjonberg, "Bonnie Anderson encourages open conversation in Albany diocese; Communication must remain focused on unity in Christ, Bishop Love says," Episcopal News Service, January 22, 2008, found at Episcopal Church USA Official web site. Accessed January 23, 2008.
  13. ^ a b http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=694502&category=REGION&newsdate=6/8/2008
  14. ^ a b c Laurie Dotson, "Pared-Down Episcopal Church Is Looking to Grow Through ‘Inclusivity’," New York Times , July 19, 2009, found at New York Times article of July 19, 2009. Accessed July 22, 2009.
  15. ^ a b c New York Times and Albany Times Union staff reports, "Vatican to ease rules on Anglicans," Albany Times Union, October 21, 2009, p. A5, col. 1, found at Albany Times Union website. Accessed October 21, 2009.

See also

Episcopal Church (USA) titles
Preceded by
Daniel W. Herzog		 9th Bishop of Albany
2007 to present		 Succeeded by
current