Robinson becomes first openly gay bishop

SEVEN months after his confirmation rocked the Episcopal community, V Gene Robinson officially became the ninth Bishop of New Hampshire and the first openly gay bishop in church history.

In his sermon on Sunday during the investiture ceremony, Bishop Robinson said one definition of leadership is to find a parade and get in front of it. Bishop Robinson said he is just trying to stay in front of the parade and not get run over. “Journeys of faith, you know, are a risky business,” he said. “God is always calling us out of our comfort zones.”

The investiture ceremony does not carry the same weight as Bishop Robinson’s consecration last year, but it gave a capacity crowd of more than 700 the chance to welcome the new leader of the Diocese of New Hampshire with whoops, cheers and a standing ovation. Bells rang out from the church tower.

Bishop Douglas Theuner, who officially retired on Sunday, handed Bishop Robinson the ceremonial staff that transferred the diocese into his hands. They had shared power since Bishop Robinson was made a bishop. “May the Lord stir up in you the flame of holy charity and the power of faith that overcomes the world,” said the Rev David Jones, rector of St Paul’s Church.

Bishop Robinson is the first openly gay man to be elected as a bishop in the national Episcopal church, as well as the worldwide Anglican Communion of which it is a part. His consecration drew protesters and triggered angry responses from many corners of the world. Several Anglican bishops outside the US have said they will no longer associate with the Episcopal Church USA because it approved Bishop Robinson’s election.

In the United States, a dozen conservative bishops are organising an alternative network of dioceses and parishes that object to Bishop Robinson’s lifestyle. They argue that homosexuality violates biblical laws.

Bishop Robinson has lived with his partner, Mark Andrew, a state administrator, for 15 years and has two daughters from a previous marriage. Mr Andrew took part in the ceremony. “Let’s be clear,” Bishop Robinson told parishioners in October. “We’ve always had gay bishops. All I’m doing is being honest about it.”

Most of the state’s Episcopalians support Bishop Robinson, but a conservative minority continues to oppose his consecration. Two churches, Church of the Redeemer in Rochester and St Mark’s in Ashland have voted to affiliate with the new network of conservative churches. Bishop Robinson said he hopes to work with the two churches, even though their members do not want him to serve as their bishop.