Marc Andrus, an Episcopal Bishop of California noteworthy for his public anti-Prop 8 stance, was not allowed to be seated at Thursday's installation of Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, even though he was an invited guest. Instead, he was "escorted to a basement room at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral and detained by an usher until the time the service began." As soon as the debut performance (if you will) began, Bishop Andrus left the cathedral.

In an article explaining his basement-shaming at the hands of St. Mary's Cathedral, Andrus writes:

At this point no other guests remained in the downstairs area. The employee and I chatted while waiting. I began to wonder about the time holdup. I checked my phone; it was 1:50PM. I asked the employee standing with me if the service indeed started at 2, which she affirmed. At 2PM, when the service was to begin, I said to the employee, "I think I understand, and feel I should leave." Her response was, "Thank you for being understanding." I quietly walked out the door. No one attempted to stop me. No attempt was ever made to explain the delay or any process for seating. I arrived early, before the time given my assistant, and waited to leave until after the service had begun. My intention for attending the installation was to honor our ecumenical and interfaith relations in the Bay Area.

Prior to Cordileone's installation, Andrus penned a letter to the Diocese of California, one that noted his opposition to Proposition 8 and support of same-sex marriage. Part of his letter included this controversially humane line, "Some Catholics may find themselves less at home with Salvatore Cordileone’s installation and they may come to The Episcopal Church. We should welcome them as our sisters and brothers."

"We were certainly aware of his letter," George Wesolek, the director of communications and public policy for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, later told CNN.

[DioCal]