Walter Cameron Righter
Encyclopedia
Walter Cameron Righter was a bishop
in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He served the Diocese of Iowa
from 1972 to 1988. He then served as assistant bishop for the Diocese of Newark
from 1989-1991.
. He served with the field artillery in the United States Army
in World War II
where he saw action in the Battle of the Bulge
. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh
in 1948 and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology
degree from Berkeley Divinity School
in 1951. Righter married Nancy Tolbert and together they raised four children. He was ordained a deacon
on April 7, 1951 and a priest
on October 6 of the same year. The Rev. Righter served parishes in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
and Georgetown, Pennsylvania
and then the Church of the Good Shepherd in Nashua, New Hampshire
. While in Nashua he also served as the Ecumenical Relations Chairman for the Diocese of New Hampshire
and on the Standing Committee on Structure of the National Convention.
in Des Moines. He was consecrated a bishop by the Most Rev. John Elbridge Hines
, and the Rt. Rev.s Charles F. Hall and Gordon V. Smith
on January 12, 1972. The consecration was an ecumenical service held at St. Ambrose Cathedral
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines
and the service used came from the Services for Trial Use. He was the 671st bishop consecrated in the United States, and served as the Bishop of Iowa for 16 years.
When Bishop Righter came to Iowa there were 21,618 baptized people in 33 parishes, 36 organized missions and two unorganized missions. There were 70 clergy serving the diocese. The numbers of people in the church, like other mainline Protestant Churches, started to decline after that time. Because of the decline Righter conceived of a program called the Second Mile, which he proposed to the Diocesan Convention in 1976. It was a five year plan for renewal and evangelization in the church. The culmination of the program in 1981 was a visit by the Archbishop of Canterbury
, Robert Runcie
.
The Diocese of Iowa developed relationships with Companion Dioceses during Bishop Righter’s episcopate. In 1975 it initiated an informal relationship with the Diocese of the Central Philippines
but the connection lapsed. In 1983 Righter appointed a Companion Diocese Committee and it developed a relationship with the Diocese of Brechin in Scotland
. In 1990 another link was developed between the Dioceses of Iowa and Brechin with the Diocese of Swaziland
in Africa
.
Bishop Righter ordained the first woman in Iowa, the Rev. S. Suzanne Peterson, as a deacon on December 18, 1976 at St. Paul’s Church
in Des Moines. The Rev. Anne Wagner Baker was received in 1978 from the Diocese of Missouri
to serve as assistant rector at Trinity Church
in Iowa City and chaplain at the area hospitals.
In the later years of his episcopate in Iowa the diocese started a program called Responding in Ministry and Mission, which provided funds for social justice projects in Africa and across the diocese. Bishop Righter retired as the diocesan bishop on December 31, 1988.
of the Diocese of Newark
from 1989-1991. While he was serving in New Jersey
he ordained Barry Stopfel a deacon in 1990. Rev. Stopfel was openly gay
and living with his partner. Bishop Righter had also signed a statement saying he supported the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. This was a change of opinion for Bishop Righter. Shortly after becoming a bishop he wrote that homosexuality was an illness that could be cured and voted against the ordination of homosexuals in 1979. Ten bishops brought a presentment, or a formal accusation, against Bishop Righter accusing him of violating a doctrine of the church and his own ordination vows. The presentment was supported by a quarter of the church’s 300 bishops. On February 27, 1996 a hearing was held at the Cathedral Church of St. John in Wilmington, Delaware
. It was presided over by the Rt. Rev. Edward Jones of Indianapolis
and eight other bishops.
In an 7-1 decision on May 15, 1996 the court dismissed the charges against Bishop Righter stating that the Episcopal Church "has no doctrine prohibiting the ordination of homosexuals," and that Bishop Righter did not contradict the "core doctrine" of the church. In 1998 Righter wrote a reflection on the trial and his life in a book titled A Pilgrim's Way.
. He was invited by the rector of Calvary Church in Shadyside
to celebrate weekday Eucharist and to be listed as part of the parish clergy. Bishop Robert Duncan
of the conservative Diocese of Pittsburgh
objected. After the diocese split from the Episcopal Church in 2008 Righter applied for canonical residency and was immediately welcomed. He was in poor health in the months before his death from heart and lung ailments. His funeral was held at Calvary Church and his interment was in the parish's columbarium
.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He served the Diocese of Iowa
Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America which covers all of Iowa. It is in Province VI. Its offices are in Des Moines, and it has two cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of St...
from 1972 to 1988. He then served as assistant bishop for the Diocese of Newark
Episcopal Diocese of Newark
The Episcopal Diocese of Newark is a diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America comprising the northern third of New Jersey in the United States...
from 1989-1991.
Early life and Ministry
Righter was born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He served with the field artillery in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
where he saw action in the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
in 1948 and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology
Bachelor of Sacred Theology
The Bachelor of Sacred Theology is a graduate-level academic degree in theology.The Bachelor of Sacred Theology is offered by a number of Pontifical Universities. It is sometimes offered as a graduate degree, for students who have already completed a B.A. or other first degree...
degree from Berkeley Divinity School
Berkeley Divinity School
Berkeley Divinity School, founded in 1854, is an official seminary of the Episcopal Church, based in New Haven, Connecticut. The seminary was originally founded as a middle-way between the Anglo-Catholic leaning General Theological Seminary in New York, and the Evangelical-leaning Virginia...
in 1951. Righter married Nancy Tolbert and together they raised four children. He was ordained a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
on April 7, 1951 and a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
on October 6 of the same year. The Rev. Righter served parishes in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
Aliquippa is a city in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The population was 9,438 at the 2010 census. Formerly a borough, it was formally named a city in 1987 by the Aliquippa Council.-History:...
and Georgetown, Pennsylvania
Georgetown, Pennsylvania
This article is about Georgetown, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. See also: Georgetown, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.Georgetown is a borough in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, along the Ohio River. The population was 182 at the 2000 census. It was founded in 1793 by Benoni Dawson...
and then the Church of the Good Shepherd in Nashua, New Hampshire
Nashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
. While in Nashua he also served as the Ecumenical Relations Chairman for the Diocese of New Hampshire
Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire
The Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, a diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America , covers the entire state of New Hampshire. It was originally part of the Diocese of Massachusetts, but became independent in 1841. The see city is Concord...
and on the Standing Committee on Structure of the National Convention.
Diocese of Iowa
Rev. Righter was elected the seventh Bishop of Iowa October 8, 1971 at a Special Convention held at St. Paul’s ChurchCathedral Church of Saint Paul (Des Moines)
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, is located at 815 High Street, Des Moines, Iowa in the United States. It is the cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 as St. Paul's Episcopal Church.-St. Paul's Episcopal...
in Des Moines. He was consecrated a bishop by the Most Rev. John Elbridge Hines
John Elbridge Hines
John Elbridge Hines was a bishop in the Episcopal Church in the United States. When he was elected the 22nd Presiding Bishop in 1965, at the age of 54, he was the youngest person to hold that office, which he held until 1974....
, and the Rt. Rev.s Charles F. Hall and Gordon V. Smith
Gordon V. Smith
Gordon V. Smith was a bishop in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He was bishop of the Diocese of Iowa from 1950-1971. He was the first Bishop of Iowa who was canonically resident in the state when he was elected bishop.-Early life & Ministry:Gordon Smith was born in...
on January 12, 1972. The consecration was an ecumenical service held at St. Ambrose Cathedral
St. Ambrose Cathedral (Des Moines)
St. Ambrose Cathedral is the cathedral parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, and is located at 607 High Street in Des Moines, Iowa in the center of the city. The facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as St...
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines
Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines
The Diocese of Des Moines is the Roman Catholic diocese for the southwestern quarter of the state of Iowa.Dioecesis Desmoinensis is the Latin title of the diocese, and the Diocese of Des Moines is the corporate title of the diocese. The Cathedral parish for the Diocese is St. Ambrose's Cathedral....
and the service used came from the Services for Trial Use. He was the 671st bishop consecrated in the United States, and served as the Bishop of Iowa for 16 years.
When Bishop Righter came to Iowa there were 21,618 baptized people in 33 parishes, 36 organized missions and two unorganized missions. There were 70 clergy serving the diocese. The numbers of people in the church, like other mainline Protestant Churches, started to decline after that time. Because of the decline Righter conceived of a program called the Second Mile, which he proposed to the Diocesan Convention in 1976. It was a five year plan for renewal and evangelization in the church. The culmination of the program in 1981 was a visit by the Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
, Robert Runcie
Robert Runcie
Robert Alexander Kennedy Runcie, Baron Runcie, PC, MC was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1980 to 1991.-Early life:...
.
The Diocese of Iowa developed relationships with Companion Dioceses during Bishop Righter’s episcopate. In 1975 it initiated an informal relationship with the Diocese of the Central Philippines
Episcopal Church in the Philippines
The Episcopal Church in the Philippines is a province of the Anglican Communion first established by the Episcopal Church. It was founded in 1901 by American missionaries led by Charles Henry Brent, who served as the first resident bishop. It became an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion...
but the connection lapsed. In 1983 Righter appointed a Companion Diocese Committee and it developed a relationship with the Diocese of Brechin in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. In 1990 another link was developed between the Dioceses of Iowa and Brechin with the Diocese of Swaziland
Anglican Diocese of Swaziland
The Anglican Diocese of Swaziland is a diocese in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.The diocese was founded in 1968. It comprises the country of Swaziland....
in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.
Bishop Righter ordained the first woman in Iowa, the Rev. S. Suzanne Peterson, as a deacon on December 18, 1976 at St. Paul’s Church
Cathedral Church of Saint Paul (Des Moines)
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, is located at 815 High Street, Des Moines, Iowa in the United States. It is the cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 as St. Paul's Episcopal Church.-St. Paul's Episcopal...
in Des Moines. The Rev. Anne Wagner Baker was received in 1978 from the Diocese of Missouri
Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America with jurisdiction over 54 counties in eastern Missouri. It has 47 congregations and is in Province 5. Its cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral, is in St. Louis, as are the diocesan offices. The...
to serve as assistant rector at Trinity Church
Trinity Episcopal Church (Iowa City, Iowa)
Trinity Episcopal Church is parish church in the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. The church is located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States, at 320 E. College Street. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.-History:...
in Iowa City and chaplain at the area hospitals.
In the later years of his episcopate in Iowa the diocese started a program called Responding in Ministry and Mission, which provided funds for social justice projects in Africa and across the diocese. Bishop Righter retired as the diocesan bishop on December 31, 1988.
Diocese of Newark
Following his retirement Righter served as the assistant bishop to the Rt. Rev. John Shelby SpongJohn Shelby Spong
John Shelby "Jack" Spong is a retired American bishop of the Episcopal Church. He was formerly the Bishop of Newark . He is a liberal Christian theologian, religion commentator and author...
of the Diocese of Newark
Episcopal Diocese of Newark
The Episcopal Diocese of Newark is a diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America comprising the northern third of New Jersey in the United States...
from 1989-1991. While he was serving in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
he ordained Barry Stopfel a deacon in 1990. Rev. Stopfel was openly gay
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
and living with his partner. Bishop Righter had also signed a statement saying he supported the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. This was a change of opinion for Bishop Righter. Shortly after becoming a bishop he wrote that homosexuality was an illness that could be cured and voted against the ordination of homosexuals in 1979. Ten bishops brought a presentment, or a formal accusation, against Bishop Righter accusing him of violating a doctrine of the church and his own ordination vows. The presentment was supported by a quarter of the church’s 300 bishops. On February 27, 1996 a hearing was held at the Cathedral Church of St. John in Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
. It was presided over by the Rt. Rev. Edward Jones of Indianapolis
Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, formerly known as the Episcopal Diocese of Indiana, is a diocese in Province V of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. It encompasses the southern two-thirds of the state of Indiana. Its see is in Indianapolis, Indiana at Christ Church...
and eight other bishops.
In an 7-1 decision on May 15, 1996 the court dismissed the charges against Bishop Righter stating that the Episcopal Church "has no doctrine prohibiting the ordination of homosexuals," and that Bishop Righter did not contradict the "core doctrine" of the church. In 1998 Righter wrote a reflection on the trial and his life in a book titled A Pilgrim's Way.
Later life and Death
Bishop Righter and his wife Nancy retired to Allstead, New Hampshire before moving to Export, PennsylvaniaExport, Pennsylvania
Export is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States, surrounded entirely by the Municipality of Murrysville. The population was 895 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Export is located at ....
. He was invited by the rector of Calvary Church in Shadyside
Shadyside (Pittsburgh)
Shadyside is a neighborhood in the East End of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It has zip codes of both 15232 and 15206, and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by the council member for District 8...
to celebrate weekday Eucharist and to be listed as part of the parish clergy. Bishop Robert Duncan
Robert Duncan (bishop)
Robert William Duncan, Jr. is an American bishop. He has been Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America since June 2009. In 1997, he was elected Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh...
of the conservative Diocese of Pittsburgh
Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh
The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is a diocese in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Geographically, it encompasses several counties in Western Pennsylvania, and its cathedral is located in downtown Pittsburgh. The Rt. Rev. Robert Hodges Johnson served the diocese as assisting...
objected. After the diocese split from the Episcopal Church in 2008 Righter applied for canonical residency and was immediately welcomed. He was in poor health in the months before his death from heart and lung ailments. His funeral was held at Calvary Church and his interment was in the parish's columbarium
Columbarium
A columbarium is a place for the respectful and usually public storage of cinerary urns . The term comes from the Latin columba and originally referred to compartmentalized housing for doves and pigeons .The Columbarium of Pomponius Hylas is a particularly fine ancient Roman example, rich in...
.