Lesbian Episcopal priest says LGBTQ movement is central to the Christian faith

Rev. Elizabeth M. Edman, a lesbian Episcopal priest, claims that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) are central to the Christian faith.

Edman released a book where she wrote that "queer and trans experience has vast potential to help the church 'be' the church."

Her book "Queer Virtue: What LGBTQ People Know About Life and Love and How It Can Revitalize Christianity" was published in part on Saturday, June 4 on Salon website.

The author stated that queers exist with lives, sensibilities and perceptions of relationships and ethical obligations seemingly different from the heteronormative Christian ethics, and considers this not an ethical deficit but rather a valuable insight.

A Christian theologian, speaker, and permanent research fellow at the Center for Ethics and Culture at Notre Dame University was quick to denounce Edman's assertions of "queer virtue" as "onerous."

"It does seem oddly consistent, however, that an attempt to turn homosexual relations into a good and Godly act would be paired with an effort to rehabilitate pride and turn the sin of Satan into a virtue," Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D. wrote as a response on Breitbart News.

He accused the author of misrepresenting the Scripture as she allegedly omitted essential pieces.

Earlier this year, the Anglican Primates hosted by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby announced their decision to suspend The Episcopal Church for their pro-gay marriage stance.

"The traditional doctrine of the Church in view of the teaching of Scripture, upholds marriage as between a man and a woman in faithful, lifelong union. The majority of those gathered reaffirm this teaching," said the official statement from the Primates.

The Primates specified that the suspension was to take effect for a span of three years. The Episcopal Church cannot be a representative body, cannot receive any elections or appointments for internal standing committee nor take part in decision-making in terms of doctrine or polity.