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.