Bishop Al Gwinn Responds to Petition Signing

Bishop Al Gwinn of the North Carolina Conference and Mississippi Bishop Hope Morgan Ward are among a list of bishops and others signing a petition in opposition to locating the George W. Bush library at Southern Methodist University. News reports have cited different reasons for the signings.

Bishop Gwinn felt it appropriate to share his reasons for adding his name to the petition. Following is his statement. The wording of the petition appears after the statement:

Statement from Bishop Gwinn:
Without being lengthy I will share briefly with you why I signed the petition.  First, I want to say that I believe our Presidential Libraries are wonderful contributions to society and our learning systems.  I am most pleased that those libraries like the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and the John F. Kennedy Library are on state campuses (the University of Texas and the University of Massachusetts ).  Presidents of our United States are just that - presidents of our secular government, not presidents of the church.  For me, their libraries belong on campuses of all of the people, not on a particular denominational campus.  A part of my objection lies with that belief.  It has nothing to do with President George Bush.  I would feel the same way if a Baptist or Catholic president of the United States wanted to put his/her library on a Baptist or Catholic campus.  I do not think such a move is healthy for our religious unity.

Secondly, politics unfortunately are just that - politics.  If a democratic president was attempting to do the same thing I would be likewise opposed.  I believe the church should stand beyond partisan politics.  So I feel it is inappropriate for the church to sponsor the efforts of a particular political party.

Those are the primary reasons I signed the petition.  I happen not to agree with some of the negative statements being made about President Bush and I have consistently refused to sign petitions that relate only to these statements.

I certainly respect the right of others to think differently than I.  But, if I refuse to share my thinking because it may be different than another's, then I am not respecting myself.

Our nation, and our church, values the right of persons to share their thoughts on any given subject.

Grace and Peace to you,
Bishop Al Gwinn, Raleigh , NC 27605
_________________________________