B MARGARET men

espite two last—minute ‘moral fitness’
challenges, Rev. Canon V. Gene
Robinson was confirmed as the bish-
op elect of the Diocese of New Hampshire in
early August. In addition, Episcopal General
Convention delegates voted to allow individ-
ual bishops to decide whether to bless sarne—
sex unions within their dioceses but stopped
short of endorsing a denornination-wide litur-
gy for such ceremonies. '
Ken Poppe, the dean and rector of
St. Paul’s (Episcopal) Cathedral in
Burlington, said he has known Gene

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V Our TV Show is. On!
p. 6 Lynn McNicol profiles

Robinson for 30 years. “He will bring much
to the church. His election makes an impor-
tant statement about the welcome we bring to
all people of faith, including all sexual orien-
tations.”

. Poppe continued, “The Scriptures
support moving ahead with social change.
We are all made in the image of God, and if
a person has been baptized, they should be
able to be ordained. Of course, how we live
our lives is important. We would not be in
favor of prorniscuity.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury,
Rowan Williams, is head of the worldw
77 million—member Anglican Communion.
(including the 2.3 rnillion-member U.S.

V Song-Tales ofthe
Chair p. 18 You’ll get 4

Episcopal Church). Although he is consid-
ered a liberal, he has called for an extraordi-
nary meeting of church leaders in October to
discuss the unprecedented elevation of a gay
man to the Episcopate. Earlier this year, he
asked a celibate gay priest who had been
appointed bishop in England to resign to
avoid controversy. Anglican bishops in
Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Australia
and conservative Episcopalian bishops in the
U. S. have threatened to declare the US.
church “out of communion” and/or to split
the. church over the issue.

The conservatives’ position is based
on traditional interpretations of a few pas-
sages of Old and New Testament declaring

VKeepltQuiet p.20

Francesa Susanna is less

that sex between men is an “abomination.”

Robinson was quoted in the Sunday
Times (London) as saying, “Frankly, most
young people I’ve talked to have resolved
the issue of homosexuality and think the
church is hopelessly irrelevant fighting about
it. Are we winning anyone to Christ with
these battles? I think not.” He has said the he
wants to be known as a good bishop, not the
gay bishop.

The Web Site challenge

Robinson, elected as bishop—designate in
June by priests and lay leaders in the diocese
of New
Hampshire,

continued on p. 2

News 2-3
Editorial 4
Letters 5
Features 1, 8-10
Views 1 1-18
Arts 19-21
Calendar 22

F). 3 Sen. Leahy sponsors
Immigration act for gay
partners.

than impressed with gay
countertenor’s new CD.

Community Compass 2 .
The Source 25
Classifieds 28
Gayity 29

chances to see roots-folk
duo Wishing Chair this
month: a preview.

Sharon Randall of VT
Rainbow Coalition.

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