(Episcopal) Bishop, Partner Plan Commitment Ceremony

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Bishop, Partner Plan Commitment Ceremony
Gay Episcopal Bishop Says He Will Make Union With
Partner Official Under Forthcoming N.H. Law

By NORMA LOVE

CONCORD, N.H. Apr 27, 2007 (AP)— The Rev. V. Gene Robinson
became the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop. Now, he
and his partner want to be among the first gay couples in New
Hampshire to officially unite under a soon-to-be-signed civil
unions law.

New Hampshire is set to become the nation's fourth state to
offer civil unions for gay couples after legislation approved by
the state Senate on Thursday was sent to Gov. John Lynch,
who has said he would sign it.

"My partner and I look forward to taking full advantage of the
new law," Robinson told The Associated Press.

Robinson, 59, was elected the ninth Episcopal bishop of New
Hampshire four years ago, making him the church's first openly
gay bishop. His elevation divided the Anglican community.

-snip-

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3087428

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Great for the couple

Do Episcopalians here see this as being in any way controversial in their church? Don't see how it could, as it is a civil union and legal under NH law.

[annabanana]

2. Yes. There is a schism..

Rightward leaning diocese have been breaking communion with the US Episcopal Church and aligning with African Anglican communities that condemn homosexuality.

Is is sad and ugly.

[kwassa]

4. Fortunately it is only a small percentage of churches leaving ...

and the right-leaning churches are poorly organized as a group. Two of the leaders on the right are involved in scandals, one financial, one sexual.

The US Bishops recently told the African primates to take a walk.

[annabanana]

7. lol. . from what I've heard.. some can take that stroll

with multiple wives.

[JerseygirlCT]

6. Sad, ugly, yes. Also incredibly overstated. A few, with connections

to a great deal of money, are making a stink far bigger than their numbers would suggest.

The church as a whole is doing just fine.

[JohnnyLib2]

3. It split the Episcopalians in our small city.

That is one courageous man, in my book.

[JerseygirlCT]

5. That's terrific! Congratulations to them both! nt

[kwassa]

8. The few that are leaving ...

http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=123562&ran=89412

Episcopal Bishop says few leaving over same-sex issues
By STEVEN G. VEGH
The Virginian-Pilot
April 26, 2007

VIRGINIA BEACH - The Episcopal Church's presiding bishop on Wednesday downplayed the notion of a denominational schism over homosexuality, saying only a tiny fraction of congregations have moved to break away.

In an interview, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said the congregations had "gotten a lot of attention and been very noisy," but accounted for less than 1 percent of the country's total number of parishes, which she put at 7,500.

"The Episcopal Church is alive and well," she said. Jefferts Schori was in Virginia Beach on Wednesday to speak at the Episcopal Communicators annual meeting at The Cavalier Hotel.