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This article largely discusses presence of openly gay, lesbian or bisexual bishops in churches governed under episcopal polities. The existence of homosexual bishops in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and other traditions is a matter of historical record, though never, until recently, considered licit by any of the main Christian denominations. Homosexual activity was engaged in secretly. When it was made public, official response ranged from suspension of sacramental duties to expulsion from Holy Orders. As far back as the eleventh century, Ralph, Archbishop of Tours had his lover installed as Bishop of Orléans, yet neither Pope Urban II, nor his successor Paschal II took action to depose either man.〔 The issue has attracted greater attention in recent years following the development of the gay rights movement, and the increasing discussion within some Christian churches over the legitimacy of gay clergy in senior positions. Most notably in the selection of Gene Robinson as the Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire in 2003, prompting wider debate across the Anglican Communion. ==Historical context== It was customary in the past for individuals - whether clergy or not - to remain secretive (in the closet) about their sexual orientation and activity. This was mainly because there was generally low tolerance for homosexuality across society, and those caught faced severe criminal sanctions (often including death). It is not straightforward to identify individuals before the 19th century as homosexual or "gay" in the modern sense of the world. Nevertheless, as far back as the eleventh century, Ralph, Archbishop of Tours in France had his lover installed as Bishop of Orléans, yet neither Pope Urban II, nor his successor Paschal II took action to depose either man.〔Boswell, 214-15〕 Baldric of Dol, Archbishop of Dol in France, wrote passionate letters to his friend "Walter": "''If you wish to take up lodging with me, I will divide my hert and breast with you. I will share with you anything of mine that can be divided; If you command it, I will share my very soul."'' Several of the poems of Marbodius of Rennes (d.1123) , Bishop of Rennes in France, speak of handsome boys and homosexual desires although stop short of consummating physical relationships (''An Argument Against Copulation Between People of Only One Sex''). Poems, such as the one where he sent an urgent demand that his beloved return if he wished the speaker to remain faithful to him, have been interpreted to indicate that more than poetic invention was involved.〔John Boswell, ''Christianity, Social Tolerance and Homosexuality'', Chicago, 1980〕 Public scandal also touched upon the fondness of Cardinal Scipione Borghese for Stefano Pignatelli (his likely lover), and Pope Julius III for Innocenzo Ciocchi Del Monte in the 17th century in Italy. In the 18th century notable examples of emotional and perhaps romantic relationships among bishops include Cardinal Henry Benedict Stuart and Giovanni Lercari (the Archbishop of Genoa). John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury in England (1583-1604), formed a close relationship with Andrew Perne while at university in Cambridge. Perne went on to live with Whitgift in his old age. Puritan satirists would later mock Whitgift as "Perne's boy" who was willing to carry his cloak-bag - thus suggesting that the two had enjoyed a homosexual relationship〔Patrick Collinson, ''Richard Bancroft and Elizabethan Anti-Puritanism'', University of Cambridge, 2013〕 William Laud (d.1645), also Archbishop of Canterbury, managed homosexual leanings discreetly, but confided his erotic dreams about Buckingham and others to a private diary. In the 19th century Cardinal John Henry Newman remained close to Ambrose St. John and was attacked by contemporaries for his "lack of masculinity". The two were buried in the same grave. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Gay bishops」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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