The Rt. Rev. Ronald Haines, Bishop of Washington, has ordained another non-celibate homosexual, again undertaking the controversial action a few months before General Convention, as he did with a non-celibate lesbian in 1991.

The priesting of the Rev. Albert Scariato, M.D., a 41-year-old convert from Judaism, took place April 12 in one of the diocese's oldest parishes, St. John's Church, Georgetown, where the ordinand is assisting.

Four conservative parishes notified officials in advance that a lay spokesman, David Bickle of All Saints', Chevy Chase, Md., would voice a formal protest, with the result that Bishop Haines departed from the usual procedure by directing that the objections be voiced in the parish hall. "As if on cue, people in the pews struck up a rousing hymn at the rector's direction," reported the Washington Times.

Fr. Scariato later pointed out that the prayer book says protesters "may come forward," but does not specify that objections must be heard in the nave. Bishop Haines himself assured the congregation that he was acting in accordance with the canons of the church.

Anticipating General Convention's acceptance of a special commission that there is no "core doctrine" prohibiting such ordinations, the Times commented that "now there is talk among some liberal bishops of one day seeking to put a traditionalist bishop on trial for the 'heresy' of not ordaining homosexuals."

(The Rev.) James B. Simpson