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MINNEAPOLIS - Following a packed Friday morning hearing, the Committee on the Consecration of Bishops endorsed the ratification of the Rev. Canon V. Gene Robinson as bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of New Hampshire. Robinson would be the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church. Before the resolution can be adopted, it must be approved by the House of Deputies and by a majority of bishops who govern dioceses. The House of Deputies is scheduled to consider the matter first, during its Monday legislative session. The 25-member committee's decision, made in closed session by secret ballot, came just 15 minutes after an early-morning hearing during which 36 people spoke: 18 in favor of Robinson's ratification and 18 against. It was received quietly, in deference to the committee's request that the decision be received "with grace" and no demonstration of emotion. Before the hearing was opened to those who had signed up to speak, five of Robinson's sponsors presented their testimony, among them Robinson's 21-year-old daughter, Ella Robinson. Ella Robinson said she wanted to share her family's story, and to dispel rumors that her father had left his family for another man. "Although it's an unusual family, it's one filled with love," she said, before reading a statement prepared by her mother, Isabella McDaniel - Robinson's ex-wife. In her statement, McDaniel offered her support for Robinson, and described the circumstances of the couple's divorce: "After careful thought and much prayer," she wrote, "we decided to release each other from our vows in a private service with the Holy Eucharist… During this religious service, we promised to protect and cherish each other while continuing to co-parent our two daughters." During a brief questioning session, Robinson was asked by a committee member why he believed God made humans sexual beings. Robinson said he believed it was "so we might express with our bodies the love that's in our hearts. "What I can tell you is that in my relationship with my partner, I am able to experience the deep love I have in my heart… so it's sacramental for me," he said. Ten bishops spoke at the hearing, including Bishop John Bryson Chane, of Washington, who was one of three bishops who spoke in favor of Robinson's confirmation. "I prayerfully ask you to move Gene forward to a place where he has been prayerfully and rightfully elected to serve," Bishop Chane said. Many speakers defended the Diocese of New Hampshire's right to make its own decisions about whom to elect, but others warned of far-reaching consequences. "It would constitute a massive change in the teaching of this church," said Bishop John W. Howe, of Central Florida, who added that while he found Robinson "an enormously likeable person," he could not condone his election to the office of bishop. "This issue's larger than even one diocese," said Bishop Keith L. Ackerman of the Diocese of Quincy. "To a large extent, the unity of this fragile church is in the hands of this General Convention." Bishop David Bena, of Albany, pointed out that the Rev. Jeffrey John had withdrawn his name rather than cause a schism in the Church of England, and warned the Episcopal Church against being "American mavericks, going our own way." "In 1989, we consecrated the first woman bishop in the Anglican Communion," said Bishop Thomas Shaw, of Massachusetts, who supported Robinson's ratification. "Everyone said that would split the church… instead, it made us stronger." Bishop Larry Maze, of Arkansas, said the Episcopal Church in his state represented a "tolerant and liberal voice" in contrast to others in the Bible belt, and he hoped it would retain its reputation as an inclusive church. "New Hampshire is not asking that people stand where they are standing, but they are asking to stand where they stand," he said. After the committee's decision was announced, Robinson was immediately surrounded by supporters and news media. "Of course I'm happy with the decision of the committee,"
he said, as camera crews sprang up around him. "The committee has
done a wonderful job." ###
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