Clergyman who could split the church

FOR 30 years Canon Gene V Robinson has tended to his flock in New Hampshire, preaching the word of God, attending their sick and needy, baptising their young and burying their dead.

At a glance there is nothing extraordinary about auburn-haired Canon Robinson, who has risen through the ranks of the clergy largely as a result of his dedication to his parishioners.

But when those parishioners decided earlier this year that they wanted him to become their bishop, a crisis emerged which now threatens to split the 77 million members of the worldwide Anglican Church.

Because for the last 15 years, Canon Robinson has been in a homosexual relationship with Mark Andrew.

Conservatives and traditionalists within the worldwide Anglican Communion believe same-sex relationships are an abomination of the teachings of the Bible. In their eyes, Canon Robinson is a sinner and must never lead a diocese. He, on the other hand, insists that by taking the job he is acting on the will of God.

Canon Robinson was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on May 29, 1947, after a long and complicated delivery.

It was during his school days that Canon Robinson realised he had homosexual feelings.

But while he was studying at university he fell in love with the woman who would become his wife, Isabella Martin. He also decided to pursue a life and career in the Anglican Episcopal Church.

The couple had their first child, daughter Jamee, in 1977. Four years later their second daughter Ella was born.

But by 1986 the conflict in Canon Robinson’s sexuality had become too great. He told his family he was gay and by the following year was divorced.

Two years after the divorce he started living with Mark who remains his partner to this day.