Oprah loves Bacon
By Carl Kozlowski 01/15/2009
As rector of Pasadena’s All Saints Church, the Rev. Ed Bacon is proud that his Episcopal parish is one of the most socially progressive religious institutions in America. Yet even after 13 years at the pulpit, during which time Bacon famously battled the IRS to maintain the church’s tax-exempt status over an allegedly overly politicized sermon on the eve of the 2004 presidential election, he still didn’t expect the whirlwind of praise and controversy that he would generate as a guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Jan. 8.
After stating on the show that “being gay is a gift from God,” Bacon and his All Saints staff received thousands of emails from around the world, with most writers thanking him for establishing a new standard of pastoral empathy for the often-shunned homosexual population.
“Oprah” staffers also received a flood of responses, prompting Winfrey to bring Bacon back for a follow-up appearance on Jan. 12 — a turnaround time that’s nearly unprecedented for the popular show.
“I think it’s a huge opportunity. We take for granted that a message of toleration and inclusion is what God’s message is about, but a lot of people have never heard this,” said the Rev. Susan Russell, associate pastor at All Saints. “What I find so wonderful is that Ed Bacon [is] able to use this national stage for an inclusive message about the love of God.”
Russell noted that the timing of Bacon’s appearances was “interesting,” coming on the heels of controversy over President-elect Barack Obama’s selection of conservative Rev. Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at Tuesday’s inaugural swearing-in ceremony. Warren has been outspoken against homosexual behavior and also donated money in support of Proposition 8, which outlawed gay marriages in California.
While Bacon’s initial interview was in late December, Bacon’s return appearance was taped Monday. At press time, he was scheduled to head to Chicago from church-related meetings in Seattle to participate in live Webcast Wednesday on Oprah.com.
“Ed said he meant that we’re all created in God’s image. We invite those who thank us to come see us, and we explain the background of our positions to those who disagree. We think it’s an opportunity for dialogue even with those who think we’ll burn in the lake of fire,” said Russell.
“From my perspective,” she continued, “we are coming up with no longer ‘the’ American pastor but an assortment of pastors who are called upon to discuss and advise on moral and social issues.
I think that this is a great beginning.”
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