Cracks show in Anglican church

2003-11-03 07:03

Durham, New Hampshire - The Episcopal Church consecrated V Gene Robinson as bishop in a heartfelt ceremony, making him the first openly gay man to rise to that rank in any of the world's major Christian bodies.

Minutes after Robinson was consecrated, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said the divisions caused by Robinson's elevation "are a matter of deep regret". And a protest from conservatives, already moving toward a break with the Episcopal Church, marked the consecration ceremony.

At the three-hour ritual, about 50 bishops laid hands on Robinson and the head of the Episcopal Church, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, recited an age-old prayer that began: "Father, make Gene a bishop in your church."

Robinson said his new position in the hierarchy symbolised that the church was reaching out to "people who find themselves at the margins," just as Jesus did.

He also reached out to disgruntled conservatives. "They must know if they must leave, they will always be welcomed back," Robinson said to cheers.

Rowan Williams said: "The divisions that are arising are a matter of deep regret; they will be all too visible in the fact that it will not be possible for Gene Robinson's ministry as a bishop to be accepted in every province in the communion.

In good faith

"It is clear that those who have consecrated Gene Robinson have acted in good faith. But the effects of this upon the ministry and witness of the overwhelming majority of Anglicans particularly in the non-western world have to be confronted with honesty."

An association for conservatives opposed to ordaining gays, the American Anglican Council, says parishioners already were drifting away in protest of Robinson's elevation. It plans to hold the denomination's conservative flank together by building a network of "confessing" dioceses and congregations.

At Robinson's ceremony, Assistant Bishop David Bena of Albany, New York, spoke for 38 opposing bishops in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada. He said his group will not recognise Robinson as a fellow bishop.

Bena spoke after Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold asked if there was "any reason why we should not proceed," a traditional part of Episcopal consecration services. Spare us the details

The Reverend Earle Fox from the Pittsburgh Diocese also objected. But when he began citing specifics of same-sex behaviour, Griswold politely cut him off, saying "please spare us the details and come to the substance".

New Hampshire's retiring Bishop Douglas Theuner said Robinson "will stand as a symbol of the unity of the church in a way none of the rest of us can" because he will "bring into our fellowship an entire group of Christians hitherto unacknowledged in the church."

The title conferred on Robinson is "bishop coadjutor," meaning he automatically becomes head of the diocese when Theuner retires on March 7.

On the Net:

American Anglican Council
Episcopal Church

- AP