Anglican Communion News Service

by Matthew Davies

A special hearing before the committee on the consecration of Canon Gene Robinson as Bishop-Coadjutor of New Hampshire took place this morning at the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, USA, in Minneapolis. After two hours of testimony from bishops, deputies and visitors, the legislative committee endorsed the ratification of Canon Robinson's consecration.

Canon Robinson is the first openly gay man to be elected bishop in the Anglican Communion. Some bishops, however, have admitted their homosexuality later in their episcopacy. Reactions to his election have been both strong and varied, although the landslide victory has suggested that many clergy and laity in his diocese have every faith in his ministry.

Photo: Matthew Davies/ACNS

During the hearing Canon Robinson said, "There are three or four people in each parish who find this difficult. As I attend services on Sundays there are people who are happy to come forward and say that they are not happy about the election. Many others, however, are coming to church expressing their full support."

Canon Robinson was asked the question, "What is the purpose for which our creator made us sexual beings?" He replied, "God has given us the gift of sexuality so that we might express with our body the love we have in our hearts. The desire we feel for one another is just a glimpse of the desire that God has for us."

The Rt Revd Thomas Shaw, Bishop of Massachusetts, spoke in favour of Canon Robinson's consecration as he feels that it will make the Episcopal Church [and the Anglican Communion] stronger and more ready to respond to the vision of 20/20: a movement which works towards embracing fully the stated mission of the church.

The Bishop of Central Florida, the Rt Revd John Howe, said that Gene Robinson is an enormously likeable person and wished that was all there was to it. He reminded the gathering, however, that it would "constitute a massive change in the church".

Sister Shirley Anderson from Maine spoke about Canon Robinson as being a very prayerful priest and great administrator. "The two don't often go together," she said. Sister Shirley added that a diocese should be allowed to choose their own bishop.

The Bishop of Quincy, the Rt Revd Keith Ackerman, gave quite a balanced argument and began with the words, "I love you; this is painful." He identified the fact that all of us are concerned about the unity of the church. "We are a small part of the Anglican Communion and we cannot stray away from the teaching without consequences," he said. "Each one of us needs to vote as we think we are led by the Holy Spirit."

Speaking about the privilege of engaging with many bishops concerning issues that confront their countries and dioceses, the Bishop of Washington, the Rt Revd John Chane, said, "Gene's election will reaffirm the faith-driven ministry of this church and the Anglican Communion."

The Rt Revd Andrew Hedtler Fairfield of North Dakota spoke to the motion that the issue is not concerning homosexuality but honesty. "Committed homosexual couples are new and something that the bible has said are irrelevant," he said. "The Bible promotes the relationship of husband and wife and Romans 1 specifically talks about this committed relationship."

Now that the committee has endorsed the ratification, the measure will go for vote in the House of Deputies.