Consecrated & Condemned

(Durham, New Hampshire) Gene Robinson, the first openly gay man to be made a bishop in the worldwide Anglican faith was installed in a glittering ceremony as mounted police separated noisy protestors outside.

People going into the service had to pass through metal detectors and have their bags checked by sniffer dogs.

In a service that combined pageantry and ritual Robinson was overcome with emotion several times. The service was conducted by the head of the Episcopal Church, presiding Bishop Frank Griswold. The highlight came as some 45 bishops laid hands on Robinson confirming him in his new post.

The three hour service also contained room for dissent. Assistant Bishop David Bena of Albany, N.Y., spoke for 38 opposing bishops in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada. Reading from a statement, Bena said Robinson's " 'chosen lifestyle' is incompatible with Scripture and the teaching of this church."

He said his group and many other bishops in the worldwide Anglican Communion will not recognize Robinson as a fellow bishop.

The Rev. Earl Fox of the Diocese of Pittsburgh then stood and delivered a description of gay sex so graphic that many in the congregation of 4,000 were visibly uncomfortable. Griswold finally told him to "get to the point." Fox said the "health consequences" of homosexuality were "devastating". He then stormed from the building.

Outside, more than 200 representatives of LGBT groups and gay Episcopalians rallied in support of Robinson's elevation. But, a short distance away, separated by police on horseback were a handful of demonstrators from the Fred Phelps clan, carrying "God Hates Fags" placards.

"I have a problem with any church calling a homosexual its leader when he is an unrepentant homosexual," said Joshua Phelps-Roper.

Conservative Episcopalians opposed to gays in the Church held a prayer service in a nearby church. The service was organized by the American Anglican Council, the largest and most outspoken of the traditionalist elements in the faith.

The AAC released a statement calling Robinson's elevation "a grievous day in the history of our church."

"Heresy has been held up as holy," the council said. "Blasphemy has been redefined as blessing.

"The arrogance of the leaders of the Diocese of New Hampshire and the Episcopal Church is nothing less than stunning."

The council said it would "work tirelessly to ensure that mainstream Anglicans in America have a safe place to call home. We seek a home free from harassment and persecution where the gospel can again be proclaimed unhindered."

In London, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams - spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican communion - issued a statement Sunday night saying that the divisions caused by Robinson's elevation "are a matter of deep regret."

Anglican church leaders in Nigeria condemned the consecration. With more than 17 million worshippers, the Nigerian Church is the largest community in the Anglican Communion, and its leaders have been at the forefront of opposition to Gene Robinson’s appointment as bishop.

“The Nigerian Church has made it very clear that it is not in support of the consecration. This is wrong, it’s not acceptable,” said Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon.

Robinson reached out to disgruntled Church conservatives during his address. "They must know if they must leave, they will always be welcomed back," Robinson said to cheers.

And, the man Robinson is replacing, retiring bishop Douglas Theuner said he was overjoyed at Robinson's election.

"[Robinson] will stand as a symbol of the unity of the church in a way none of the rest of us can" because he will "bring into our fellowship an entire group of Christians hitherto unacknowledged in the church."

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