Episcopal bishop presses for same-sex 'marriage'

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The Episcopal bishop of Washington yesterday predicted that Episcopalians would elect their first openly homosexual bishop at the national convention next month and also should approve a liturgical rite for same-sex "marriages."

"We've been discussing the issue of same-sex blessings since 1972 in the Episcopal Church," Bishop John Chane told 60 Episcopalians at an evening prayer service at St. George's Episcopal Church in Glenn Dale. "I think we've spent enough time discussing. For those who say our theology is thin, I would respond to that and say, 'Your faith is thin and your fear is thick.'"

If conservatives protest, so be it, he said.

"There may be some bishops who walk off the floor of the house," he said. "We're going to see some hissy fits. We'll see a lot of strange behavior."

St. George's is pastored by the Rev. Michael Hopkins, a homosexual priest who presides over Integrity, a 2,500-member Episcopal homosexual caucus.

Bishop Chane was referring to the most serious crisis to hit Episcopalians in decades. On June 7, the Rev. Gene Robinson became the world's first openly homosexual bishop-elect in the Anglican Communion -- of which the Episcopal Church is part -- when the Diocese of New Hampshire elected him on the second ballot. Canon Robinson left his wife and two young daughters in 1986 and moved in with another man.

A majority of Episcopal dioceses and their bishops voting at this summer's General Convention in Minneapolis must give consent to the election of Canon Robinson as bishop. Bishop Chane said he will win easily.

"This church cannot not affirm the valid election of a person I think in everyone's opinion is called to be the bishop of New Hampshire," he said.

Delegates at the same convention also will vote on a resolution to approve a liturgical rite for same-sex unions.