Gay man elected Episcopal bishop N.H. vote needs national panel’s OK

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CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire Episcopalians made world history Saturday by electing the first openly gay person to serve as bishop of an Episcopal diocese.

The Rev. Canon V. Gene Robinson, 56, received a majority of ballot votes from the 77 clergy participating in the election and from 165 lay representatives around the state. He was one of four candidates under consideration to lead the New Hampshire diocese.

His selection must be confirmed next month by the church’s national General Convention, something that is typically routine but may be contentious in this case, church leaders say.

The Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen, head of the Maine Episcopal Diocese, praised Robinson’s leadership qualities in a press release issued Saturday afternoon.

“Canon Robinson is a man of prayer who lives intimately with the good shepherd to whom he has given his life,” stated the bishop. “God has blessed him abundantly with gifts of wisdom, skill, vision and courage.

“His extensive experience in parish, diocesan and national church ministry has repeatedly revealed his greatest gift: that of drawing people together in the mission of Jesus Christ. Reconciliation happens when Gene is present; the movement of grace is apparent in every dimension of his ministry.”

When Robinson emerged as the victor on the second ballot, more than 300 voters and spectators at St. Paul’s Church erupted in cheers and jumped to their feet to applaud.

Robinson won despite opposition from many in the Anglican community worldwide.

In his first words after the election, Robinson told his supporters to be gentle with those who do not understand their decision.

“We will show the world how to be a Christian community. We can get through this as long as we keep coming together,” he said.

Robinson said he would let his own humanity speak, when it comes to approaching the wider world.

“I plan to be a good bishop, not a gay bishop,” he said. “I’m so much more than my orientation.”

The Rev. David Jones, rector of St. Paul’s, said he was thrilled with Robinson’s selection, even though he recognizes biblical language speaks against homosexuality.

“The spirit works through that man so who am I to say God’s not supposed to do that,” he said. “The Holy Spirit is allowed to color outside the lines.”

Many lay people also praised Robinson.

“He’s got a lot to give to this diocese,” said Nina Stevens, an Episcopalian from Pittsfield. She was not among the voters, but came to observe and to root for Robinson.

The Episcopal News Service says the only other bishop to publicly state he is actively gay is Otis Charles, former bishop of Utah, but he made the announcement in 1993 after retiring.

Church and lay leaders recognized their decision has international implications in a denomination deeply divided on the issue of homosexuality.

Bishops in the worldwide Anglican Communion, which includes the Episcopal Church in the United States, approved a resolution in 1998 calling gay sex “incompatible with Scripture.”

Conservatives in the Church of England and elsewhere protested the appointment last month of an English bishop with liberal views on homosexuality, even though the new bishop vowed to uphold existing church policy on the subject.

On Friday, The Daily Telegraph of London reported that the new English bishop, Jeffrey John, gave a 1998 talk about his ongoing gay relationship, which began when he was in the seminary. John said he informed his bishop at the time, who considered the partnership no barrier to ordination.

If confirmed at the national convention, Robinson would be consecrated the ninth bishop of New Hampshire in November and installed next March. A majority of American bishops must approve Robinson’s election. An equal number of clergy and laypeople elected from each diocese to the national convention must approve Robinson before he can be consecrated. If Robinson is rejected by the convention, the New Hampshire diocese will have to hold a new election.

While the ordination of homosexuals and the blessing of same-sex unions have been controversial issues among Anglicans worldwide, they have been less controversial in the New England states that make up Province One.

The Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen heads that group.

“We who are members of the body of Christ in Province One have known the spirit’s call to move beyond familiar horizons to the new place where God’s cruciform love is the only assurance at hand, and the only assurance we will ever need,” Knudsen said in her statement. “We offer our prayers for Gene and the Diocese of New Hampshire as they begin this new journey together.”

Robinson lives with his partner, Mark Andrew, in nearby Weare and is an assistant to retiring Bishop Douglas Theuner. He is a popular preacher at area churches and has been active in local causes, such as establishing “Concord Outright,” a support group for teenagers.

Friends say he remains on good terms with his ex-wife and two grown children. Both of his daughters and his partner were in attendance Saturday in a show of support.

Robinson received 58 of 77 ballots cast by clergy and 96 of 165 lay votes on the second ballot.

Robinson had a clear majority among the clergy and the most lay votes of any of the candidates on the first ballot. On the second ballot enough lay people gave him the required majority.

The other three candidates were the Very Rev. Ruth Lawson Kirk, rector of St. Peter’s Church in Glenside, Pa.; the Rev. Pamela Jane Mott, the canon pastor at Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Ore., and the Very Rev. Robert L. Tate, rector of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Philadelphia.