In a statement from the diocese, the Transition Committee emphasized the full inclusion policy of the diocese in its negotiations with the agency in charge of the arena management, International Facilities Group, and received assurances that the Diocese of Chicago would be welcome in all of its diversity at the House of Hope Arena.

In response to the concerns of some members of the community, the Standing Committee issued a statement setting out the criteria used in selecting the site and reiterating the principles of inclusion and antiracism that have guided the work of the Search and Transition Committees since the beginning of the Episcopal search in June 2006.

However, the diocese has not changed its mind and has not withdrawn its contract to have the ordination of The Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, who will be consecrated as the twelfth Bishop of the Diocese of Chicago, at the House of Hope Arena.

"For the first time in the history of our Diocese, we are consecrating a bishop on the south side of Chicago, a section of our diocese that has been historically underrepresented. The Transition Committee selected the House of Hope Arena because of its location and because it met several other key criteria," said the statement.

"We chose the venue in contrast to previous consecration sites because it is large enough to accommodate everyone who chooses to attend, accessible to mass transportation, and already configured as a liturgical space, needing no additional construction."

They wrote, "All are welcome in our Church, and consistent with that, no candidate shall be excluded 'because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities, or age'. (National Canons Title III, Canon 1, Section 2). It is in the best interest of our Diocese to find the best candidates for bishop for the Diocese of Chicago."

The venue chosen for the consecration needed to affirm its welcome for anyone who may have been elected according to the Standing Committee's charge. The House of Hope Arena is uniquely able to meet all the requirements of the Standing and Transition Committees.

Pastor Meeks could not be reached for comment by VirtueOnline.

In January of 1985, Salem (means "peace") Baptist opened its doors to 198 persons with the hope that it would represent and preach the peace of God that is available to all believers.

By 1993, Salem had grown to more than 3500 members, and announced that it had the largest Sunday School in the Chicago area. Soon, Salem was named one of the Top-Ten fastest growing churches in the Nation. To date, Salem Baptist Church of Chicago counts its membership at more than 22,000.

Rev. James T. Meeks, the senior pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, the largest Baptist congregation in the city of Chicago, is known for having one of the most electrifying ministries in the nation. A powerful teacher and preacher, best recognized for the clarity of his teaching ministry, Meeks is also an international leader in ministry, social action, and civil rights.

The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago is home to some 127 parishes with Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) totaling under 16,000 members, less than the combined attendance of Salem Baptist. The diocese claims 41,000 baptized members.

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