By contrast, Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said Robinson would be an inspirational figure.
"So many people are going to be sitting in front of their TVs or computers, or around the world, watching this remarkable man offer up prayer for the new president," she said. "The vision will be of benefit to many people, not just lesbian, gay and transgendered people."
In a statement late Monday, Warren was complimentary of Obama's decision to invite Robinson. "President-elect Obama has again demonstrated his genuine commitment to bringing all Americans of goodwill together in search of common ground," Warren said. "I applaud his desire to be the president of every citizen."
Robinson, 61, endorsed Obama in 2007, causing some to wag their fingers at the clergyman for mixing religion and politics.
"As my work shows me every day, leadership means bringing people together and inspiring them to live out their values," Robinson said at the time. "Barack Obama sees beyond the partisanship and hopelessness that have dominated in recent years, and the movement he's building is bringing vital new energy and optimism into our democratic process."
Some Episcopalians blame Robinson for the division between liberals and conservatives in the church in the United States and abroad. Last month, theological conservatives upset by liberal views of U.S. Episcopalians and Canadian Anglicans formed a rival North American province, because they believe Robinson's two-decade relationship with a male partner violates biblical principles.
The growing tension in the Episcopal Church has been keenly felt in California. The Fresno-based Diocese of San Joaquin in 2007 became the first in the country to announce that it was leaving the national church.
Several congregations in Southern California have aligned themselves with more conservative primates overseas, prompting legal action over who owns church property -- the national church or the breakaway parishes. This month, the California Supreme Court ruled that congregations choosing to leave the Episcopal Church may lose church buildings and property because they belong to the national church.
Robinson said in his interview with the Concord paper that he would not use the Bible in his address at the Lincoln Memorial.
"While that is a holy and sacred text to me, it is not for many Americans," Robinson said. "I will be careful not to be especially Christian in my prayer. This is a prayer for the whole nation."
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cparsons@tribune.com
mbrachear@tribune.com
