Episcopalians elect 1st female top bishop

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7:06 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Episcopal Church has elected the worlds first female presiding bishop, spurring a reaction of shock, delight and some dismay among thousands of delegates and bishops gathered here.

Katharine Jefferts Schori, 52, bishop of the 6,000-member Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, is the churchs new presiding bishop, a post equivalent to that of archbishop. She beat out five men for the post, winning on the fifth ballot this afternoon.

An amazed gasp and applause broke out from the approximately 820 deputies gathered in the Greater Columbus Convention Center as her name was announced. Women lined up at the microphones in the cavernous convention hall to praise the selection.

"They have chosen a qualified, visionary candidate," one said.

"She is brilliant, thoughtful, and she speaks Spanish," said another.

Despite repeated requests from the Very Rev. George Werner, president of the House of Deputies, no one spoke up against the nomination. However, some deputies privately wondered about the selection of a woman as presiding bishop when the Episcopal Church is in hot water with the rest of the worldwide Anglican Communion for the 2003 election of an open homosexual, New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson.

The Rev. Martyn Minns, rector of Truro Episcopal Church in Fairfax and a leading church conservative, pointed out that Bishop Schori has voted in the past in favor of same-sex unions and the consecration of homosexual bishops.

"I don't see how she can do other than lead the Episcopal Church from walking away from the Anglican Communion," he said.

The House of Deputies quickly approved her election. Out of 108 dioceses, 93 lay delegations voted yes and 15 voted no or were divided. Of the clergy delegates, 94 voted yes and 14 voted no or were divided.