| Bishops of the American
Episcopal Church have made history by voting to approve the election
of a gay, non-celibate
man as Bishop of New Hampshire. Speaking to the BBC after the vote,
Gene Robinson said he is delighted but keenly aware of being the
focus of a bitter division.
But conservatives say his election has already shattered
the Church. They are planning a meeting of like-minded
Anglicans, including Archbishops from the developing world, to
plot a possible future outside of the American church.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, as leader of
the worldwide Anglican communion,
has issued a statement which recognises the significant impact
this election will have.
He is now in a very difficult position as he tries to prevent
open schism. Gene Robinson becomes
the Bishop of New Hampshire only weeks after Jeffrey John, his
English counterpart, was forced
to stand down as Bishop of Reading
for fear his election would divide the Church.
Episcopal Church: Self-governing branch of the Anglican faith
which is based in Scotland and the United States of America
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gay: Homosexual - sexually attracted
to people of the same sex
non-celibate: someone who is celibate
chooses not to marry or have sex. Someone who is non-celibate
chooses to marry or to have sex.
shattered: divided and/or deeply
shocked
like-minded: with the same views
to plot: to plan secretly
Anglican communion: The group of
churches around the world which belongs to the Anglican faith
open schism: a public division into two groups as a result
of differences in thinking and beliefs
counterpart: person with a similar
function in a different place
stand down: resign
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