Gay Bishop appointed in America
Anglican church leaders in America have confirmed the election of the first openly gay bishop in a controversial vote.
Gene Robinson was confirmed as the Bishop of New Hampshire last night after he was cleared of allegations of sexual misconduct made on Monday.
His appointment is expected to cause outrage among many of the church’s 70million members and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who heads it, predicted difficult days ahead.
‘It will be vital to ensure that the concerns and needs of those across the communion who are gravely concerned at this development can be heard, understood and taken into account,’ he said in a statement released minutes after the results of the vote were announced.
The vote at the church’s triennial general convention in Minneapolis was split 62 to 45 in favour of Canon Robinson.
Before the vote took place many strong speeches were made. Bishop Bob Duncan of Pittsburgh told the gathering: ‘This decision has denied the plain teaching of scripture and the moral consensus of the church … With grief we bishops must reject this action. May God have mercy on his church’. But despite such pleas far more than the majority required voted to appoint Canon Robinson.
There is concern that the decision will split the church and some evangelicals are believed to be planning a meeting of like-minded Anglican leaders, including archbishops from the developing world and English evangelicals, in Texas this October to discuss whether to establish a breakaway traditionalist church.
