Episcopal Church Ordains First Openly Lesbian Bishop in South
The Episcopal Church installed Rev. Sarah Fisher as its first openly lesbian bishop in the South during a May 26 ceremony in New Bern, North Carolina.
Rev. Sarah Fisher was ordained as bishop of the Diocese of East Carolina at the Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern, North Carolina, in a ceremony held on May 26, according to Breitbart News.
Fisher is in a same-sex union with Rev. Mandy Brady. A spokesperson for the Episcopal Church confirmed to The Christian Post that Fisher is believed to be the first openly lesbian Episcopal bishop for a diocese located in the southern United States.
In a letter addressed to the diocese and those who have supported her journey, Fisher wrote that she looks forward to the new chapter ahead. She described herself as a pilgrim following the risen Christ with a particular focus on congregational and organizational development during the search process.
Fisher stated in her autobiographical submission that she believes God’s love is irresistible and that Love Incarnate always gets the last and best word.
The Episcopal Church’s official stance on LGBTQ+ issues reflects decades of theological shift away from biblical orthodoxy. According to the denomination’s website section on the LGBTQ+ community, church leadership claims to have prayed, studied, and discerned, and says they have seen evidence of God’s blessing in the lives and relationships of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The denomination plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2026 of its affirmation that LGBTQ+ people have full and equal claim to the love, acceptance, and pastoral care of the church. The website declares that the journey to make that promise a reality continues today.
The Episcopal Church’s progressive trajectory extends beyond same-sex unions. In 2022, the denomination passed a resolution supporting sex change procedures for people of all ages, as Breitbart News reported at the time.
That resolution specifically affirmed that all Episcopalians should have access to gender affirming care with no restriction on movement, autonomy, or timing. The Episcopal Church also took a position opposing laws that prohibit medical interventions for children seeking to change their sex.
The term gender affirming care as used by the Episcopal Church includes medical interventions such as puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy, as well as surgeries that permanently damage fully functioning body parts or attempt to alter facial structure.
With information from Breitbart News
