Gay bishop sets off talk of Episcopal schism

• Article
• Comments ()
• Click-2-Listen

By

The Episcopal House of Bishops last night elected the denomination's first declared homosexual bishop, one day after his candidacy was threatened by accusations that he fondled a male parishioner and condoned pornography.

By a 62-45 vote at the denomination's session in Minneapolis, the Rev. V. Gene Robinson, 56, was elected bishop of New Hampshire, provoking talk of an Episcopal schism.

"God has once again brought an Easter out of Good Friday," Mr. Robinson said after the votes were tabulated, his daughter Ella and his partner of 13 years, Mark Andrew, standing nearby.

Episcopalians follow the United Church of Christ as the second mainline Protestant denomination to endorse actively homosexual clergy. Mr. Robinson's supporters hailed his election as a human rights triumph of major proportions, but others said it was a tragic turning point in the Episcopal Church that could lead to schism.

The Rev. Robert Duncan, bishop of Pittsburgh, in a speech from the podium just after the results were announced at 8 p.m., said he and other conservative bishops were "filled with sorrow." The Episcopal Church, he said, "has departed from the historic faith and order of the Church of Jesus Christ."

Bishop Duncan called on the archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, and other bishops in the Anglican Communion "to intervene in the pastoral emergency that has overtaken us. May God have mercy on this church."

Over the next few days, archbishops of the Anglican Communion are expected to line up in opposition to Mr. Robinson's election.The Episcopal Church, with 2.3 million members, is the U.S. branch of the communion, which has 77 million members worldwide.

Archbishop Williams, leader of the Anglican Communion, had opposed the Robinson election. His spokesman said early today in London that the archbishop foresees "difficult days" ahead.

Mr. Robinson, who divorced his wife in the 1980s, will be consecrated early next year.