Election of gay bishop problematic, leader says Winston-Salem Journal

The head of the U.S. Episcopal Church said Wednesday that it would create "definite difficulty" between the denomination and fellow Anglicans worldwide if the Diocese of California elects an openly gay bishop.

The diocese announced additional candidates for the job last week. Three of the seven candidates in the May 6 balloting have same-sex partners.

The Episcopal Church caused an uproar in the Anglican Communion when it consecrated Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire in 2003. Robinson lives with his longtime male partner.

"I do think it would be fair to say that a bishop in a same-sex relationship would create definite difficulty in the life of the Communion," Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold said in an interview. However, he noted that church governance allows each diocese to choose its leader, and he said that it would be inappropriate for him to interfere.

His comments came as Episcopal bishops ended a closed-door retreat in Hendersonville, N.C., and released a statement emphasizing their desire to remain within the 77 million-member Communion.

"The unity, mission and faithfulness of the church are matters very much in our prayers," the bishops said.

It was the last House of Bishops meeting before the 2006 Episcopal General Convention, set for June 13-21 in Columbus, Ohio, which is expected to be pivotal in the Communion's efforts to remain unified.

Episcopal delegates will write a response to requests from an Anglican commission on unity, which sought a temporary halt on consecrating bishops in gay relationships and on developing liturgies for same-sex blessing ceremonies.

The U.S. bishops discussed proposals for that response, but did not reveal details.

Griswold said that the goal is to "build communion" and "build trust" with Anglicans overseas.

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