Bishop Gene Robinson Discussing His Role in the Inauguration

Bishop Robinson, who is very controversial for being the first (openly) gay Anglican bishop was sought out by Barack Obama early in the campaign to discuss "being first" as well as issues of relevance to the LGBT community. He was also consulted about the Millennium Development Goals. So in a sense it was not so surprising that he would be one of the religious leaders asked to pray at the Inauguration. It seems likely, perhaps, that the planners wished the balance the two sides of religious life in America by also inviting Rick Warren (who has said some very conservative things about human sexuality).

The two men are being quite polite about the whole thing:

Last week, the two men of the cloth, Robinson and Warren, joined forces. "President-elect Obama has again demonstrated his genuine commitment to bringing all Americans of goodwill together in search of common ground," Warren said, commenting on the selection of Robinson. "I applaud his desire to be the president of every citizen." Robinson echoed those sentiments. "Frankly, I think it is a magnificent, symbolic statement that Rick Warren and I will be praying for the new president and the nation." (source)

I think it's a brilliant example of Obama's big-tent inclusiveness. He really likes sustaining mutually exclusive ideas in dialog. Below is a clip of Robinson being interviewed by Rachel Maddow on her show.



Incidentally, I'm not sure his prayer made it onto the HBO special. Did anyone else catch it? Nor is it on You Tube, yet. I'll be curious to hear/read it. I met Bishop Robinson once when I was in Seminary--I found him to be an excellent preacher and a nice enough guy to have in your chapel!

-t