Episcopalians Consecrate Openly Gay Bishop

DURHAM, N.H. — The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay priest, was consecrated Sunday as Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire -- a break with 2,000 years of Christian tradition that could split the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Robinson's elevation to one of the highest offices within the Episcopal Church has been hailed by supporters as a breakthrough for the inclusion of gays and lesbians, and decried by opponents as a precursor to division. It has become the focus of an international theological struggle in which sharply opposing views on homosexuality and differing interpretations of Scripture have pushed the church to the edge of schism.

But on Sunday, as an estimated 2,500 gathered at the University of New Hampshire's Whittemore Center Arena here, the controversy came down to a single, indelible gesture that grafted Robinson -- the son of Kentucky sharecroppers -- into, according to the liturgy, "the faith of patriarchs, prophets, apostles and martyrs, and those of every generation who have looked to God in hope."

In an ancient ceremony, Robinson, 56, knelt before a makeshift altar. He was encircled by eight consecrating bishops in flowing vestments of white and gold, led by the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church.

Placing their hands on Robinson's head, the bishops repeated the words of consecration by invoking God: "Therefore, Father, make Gene a bishop in your church."

Robinson's companion of 15 years, Mark Andrew, and the bishop's two adult daughters, Jamee and Ella, then presented him with a gold miter -- the headdress symbolizing his new office. Robinson's former wife, Isabella McDaniel, was among those officially presenting Robinson to the consecrating bishops.

It was a moment that many Anglicans feared could be the final theological tremor opening an unbridgeable chasm separating liberals from conservatives.

The new bishop, his voice breaking, acknowledged that his consecration has brought both joy and pain to many in the church.

He told the audience gathered for the ceremony that their presence was "a welcome sign" for gays and lesbians to be brought into the church.

Then Robinson reached out to opponents: "There are faithful, wonderful Christian people for whom this is a moment of great pain and confusion and anger. And our God will be served if we are hospitable and loving and caring toward them in every way we can possibly muster. They must know that if they must leave, they will always be welcomed back into our fellowship."