From the Worldwide Faith News archives www.wfn.org


[ENS] Robinson approved as bishop


From "Mika Larson" <mini_mika@earthlink.net>
Date Tue, 5 Aug 2003 21:06:11 -0400

August 5, 2003

Robinson approved as bishop
 
[ENS] The Episcopal Church's House of Bishops has voted to consent to
the consecration of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as bishop coadjutor of the
Diocese of New Hampshire. He is the church's first openly gay priest to
be elected as a bishop. 
Diocesan bishops only were permitted to cast ballots; 62 voted in favor,
43 were opposed. Two bishops did not vote. Robinson needed only a simple
majority to win consent.

Earlier in the day, Robinson was cleared of allegations of sexual
misconduct. The investigation explored a claim that Robinson was
involved in a Web site that ultimately linked to an adult-content site.
It also looked into an e-mail allegation from a Vermont man claiming
inappropriate touching by the bishop-elect. Both allegations surfaced
after the House of Deputies approved the election of Robinson on Sunday.

After Robinson and the Standing Committee of the Diocese of New
Hampshire requested an investigation, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold
appointed Bishop Gordon P. Scruton of Western Massachusetts to
investigate the charges. In Tuesday's afternoon session in the House of
Bishops, Scruton announced "it is my conclusion that there is no
necessity to pursue further investigation and no reason on these grounds
to prevent the Bishops with jurisdiction from going forward with their
voting about whether or not to consent to Canon Robinson's
Consecration."

After the report, the bishops shared in private conversation loosely
based on an Ignatian process of communal discernment. Griswold asked the
bishops to pray for their "interior spirit," then to spend 15 minutes
giving reasons why Robinson should not be elected. The bishops then
prayed again and shared reasons why they should give consent to the
bishop-elect. 

The bishops then voted by paper ballot.


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