ACNS : Anglican Communion News Service : Mixed feelings as first openly gay Anglican bishop is consecrated

Notes: On 2 November 2003, over 3,000 people including 54 bishops and ecumenical guests, gathered at the Whittemore Center, part of the University of New Hampshire, Durham, to consecrate V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay man, as bishop coadjutor of New Hampshire. Objections were read by Meredith Harwood, a parishioner of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Ashland N.H. and the Rt. Rev. David Bena, Suffragan Bishop of Albany. Bishop Griswold the chief presider allowed the consecration to continue saying: "one of the African Primates at the meeting in Lambeth Palace [two weeks ago] had said that the Holy Spirit can be doing different things in different places and I think that's precisely what we are doing here". The consecration drew strong criticism from many in the Communion including the Sub-Dean of the Anglican Cathedral in Harare, Zimbabwe, and the American Anglican Council. It was also affirmed by the organization Changing Attitude and by the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement. "Bishop Robinson told the congregation that, although he felt deeply honoured, he urged compassion towards church members angered and upset by his consecration."

Subjects: Robinson, Gene (V. Gene), 1947-; Homosexuality - Religious aspects - Episcopal Church; Homosexuality - Religious aspects - Anglican Communion; Ordination of gays - Episcopal Church; Ordination of gays - Anglican Communion; Episcopal Church - Bishops