News hit the blogosphere Monday evening that Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire has voluntarily entered an alcoholism treatment center.

The orthodox Anglican web has been uniformly gracious. Prayers have been urged and offered, experiences shared and kind words written.

At Stand Firm, and I’m certain I speak for the rest of the Stand Firm crew, we add our prayers to those already offered and hope that bishop Robinson’s recovery will be full and lasting. Alcoholism has ruined many lives and many families. May the Lord heal his mind and will and break the chains of addiction.

The more I think about this, the more angry/disappointed/sad I am at the state of the Episcopal Church.

+Robinson’s addiction to alcohol, universally recognized for the destruction it causes body, soul and family, can be acknowledged, treated, and healed within the context of a loving diocese and Church.

But in the very same Church his, and others’, addiction/enslavement to same-sex sexual behavior, just as destructive to mind, body, and soul, is encouraged, embraced and celebrated.

The result: people for whom Christ died, people who need care, support, love, healing, and, ultimately, forgiveness never receive it because it is never sought and never offered.

The Church is called to be a hospital for sinners. But when a hospital refuses to treat infection/disease, preferring to embrace, nurture, and pass it on, it becomes a morgue in short order.

In the same way, when the Church embraces sin; nurturing behaviours the Lord condemns, the terrible cost is human lives and human souls.

May God have mercy.