Episcopalians elect openly gay bishop

An openly gay priest living in a committed same-sex relationship was elected bishop of the Episcopal Church's Diocese of New Hampshire June 7. The Episcopal Church's General Convention, meeting July 30-Aug. 8 (after presstime), was to decide on whether to confirm V. Gene Robinson's election.

Robinson, 56, compared his election to the inclusion of women and ethnic minorities in the church. "On race, we turned a corner and stopped thinking we didn't want to offend those who didn't want us to take a strong stand on civil rights," he told the Episcopal News Service