SAN FRANCISCO — Bay Area Episcopalians elected a heterosexual as their bishop Saturday, at least temporarily tamping down rising tensions over the role of gays in the U.S. Episcopal Church.
Alabama Bishop Mark Handley Andrus, 49, edged out six other finalists, including two gay men and a lesbian, in a process some feared would widen a chasm between the U.S. Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion to which it belongs.
His win answered the central question in a drama that had been closely watched throughout the 77-million-member Communion: whether the Diocese of California's Bishop William Swing, who is retiring in July, would be replaced by the church's second openly gay Episcopal bishop.
But the battle within the church over human sexuality is far from over.
Differing biblical interpretations and views on homosexuality are expected to be a focus of the denomination's triennial national convention to be held in Columbus, Ohio, in June.
On Saturday, after three rounds of balloting at stately Grace Cathedral atop Nob Hill, the three gay and lesbian nominees had garnered the least number of votes cast. Nonetheless, Andrus' victory was hailed as a gain for inclusion of gays and lesbians in the church.
In a statement conveyed by telephone from Birmingham, Ala., he drew loud applause from the delegates after he assured them that "your vote today remains a vote for inclusion and communion of gay and lesbian people in their full lives as single or partnered people, of women, of all ethnic minorities, and all people."
"I take this election to be an expression," Andrus added, "of our common desire to be part of the whole, the Communion and the world, in what may be a new way."
Two houses of electors -- one of about 300 clergy, the other of about 400 parishioners -- cast ballots. Andrus won 72% of the clergy's vote and about 55% of the lay vote. His selection still needs to be confirmed at the national convention in June.
In the weeks leading up to the election, one of the openly gay candidates, the Rev. Bonnie Perry of Chicago, had been considered a front-runner. But after the candidates toured the diocese and met with parishioners and clergy last month, various church members said, opinions began to shift.
Andrus' supporters said his election underlined how the diocese's 27,000 congregants were more interested in selecting the most-qualified nominee than in challenging the authority of the denomination to make an ideological point.
