Gay bishop vote risks schism

THE Anglican church's first openly gay bishop said yesterday he was praying that his appointment would not lead to people leaving the church.

Canon Gene Robinson was appointed Bishop New Hampshire by American Episcopal leaders on Tuesday night a move that risks the exodus of conservatives who said their grief was "too deep for words".

The Episcopal church, with 2.3m members, is the US branch of the 77m member Anglican Communion headed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.