Allies rally to gay bishop's cause

Gene Robinson was elected Bishop of New Hampshire in August 2003

Episcopalians in New Hampshire have rallied around their gay bishop-elect Gene Robinson despite warnings that his consecration could split the Anglican communion.

The majority of callers to a phone-in debate on the state's public radio network on Friday stated their unwavering support for Canon Robinson.

"Our election in New Hampshire was an act of faith," said Tim Rich, who has been handpicked to serve as the bishop-elect's deputy.

"We can sustain the Anglican communion if we can listen for grace in our conversation."

Gene Robinson is due to be consecrated in two weeks' time.

Two days of emergency talks between Anglican leaders in London ended on Thursday with a statement of deep regret over the appointment, and a warning of the danger of a split.

'Huge crisis'

A small minority of Episcopalians in New Hampshire made it clear that they would leave the church if the consecration went ahead.

There are roughly 12,000 Episcopalian Church members in the New England state.

Anglican leaders' statement in full Is Church too timid to act? New Hampshire Diocese statement

Their determination to see an openly gay bishop consecrated has thrown the worldwide Anglican community of around 70 million people into crisis.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, warned of a "huge crisis looming" on Friday.

"Some provinces will declare outright that they're not in communion... others would want to continue in an impaired state of relation," he said.

Church 're-alignment'

Some US Episcopalians say they will form an independent network of conservative churches, even as Anglican leaders try to find ways to ease tensions.

Evangelicals have become angered that some Episcopal bishops have been allowing blessing ceremonies for gay couples.

Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, a leading US evangelical, said he and other conservatives felt they had enough support from Anglican leaders to move forward with a realignment of the Episcopal Church, which is the American branch of Anglicanism.

Click here for map of Anglican church membership worldwide

The diocese of New Hampshire said it would press on with next month's consecration, after the two-day summit of 37 archbishops at Lambeth Palace in London warned of the consequences of such a move.

In a statement the diocese said Canon Robinson's sexuality should be seen as "incidental" to his ability as a church leader.

"Canon Robinson was elected based on his nearly three decades of ministry in the diocese, his considerable pastoral skills, and his vision for ministry," it said.

It continued: "We look forward to the consecration of Bishop-elect Robinson on 2 November, believing that God has called him to this ministry."

Communion 'in jeopardy'

The primates meeting in London said the consecration "would tear at the fabric of the Anglican Communion at its deepest level".

"If this consecration proceeds, we recognise that we have reached a crucial and critical point in the life of the Anglican communion and we have had to conclude that the future of the communion itself will be put in jeopardy," they said in an agreed statement.

US Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold said he was certain the consecration of Canon Robinson would go ahead - unless there was a "second coming".

He has no power to force Canon Robinson to step aside.

Dr Williams said Gene Robinson would not be licensed to work in the UK, under its current rules.

In the UK the appointment of the openly gay priest Canon Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading this summer led to a furious row with him finally withdrawing his candidacy.

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