[Ed. Note: This reporter cites "dozen in New England and seven in Virginia. In a recent twist, 42 parishes in Fresno, CA" that have broken away since Robinson's consecration. My figures are from late January, 2008. They cite 203 parishes that have left TEC since Robinson's consecration. Cheryl M. Wetzel]
http://www.doverpost.com/pages/newsgaybishop.html
By Melissa K. Steele
Staff writer
melissa.steele@doverpost.com
A Spring Clergy Day sponsored by the Episcopal Church Diocese of Delaware was held Tuesday at Christ Church in Dover featuring Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay prelate to be ordained by any mainstream religious organization.
“This was scheduled a year ago because he has such a busy schedule,” said diocese spokesman the Rev. Gary L. Rowe. “Spring Clergy Day is for Gene Robinson to come and have a conversation.”
Whether or not that conversation would include discussion of the Anglican Church’s upcoming Lambeth Conference, in which there is a possibility the English church could cut its ties with the American branch, remains unknown.
“I wouldn’t assume anything,” Rowe said.
Robinson was ordained bishop of New Hampshire in 2004 setting a precedent for the Episcopal Church — the American branch of the Anglican Church. His consecration caused several conservative churches to break off in protest, including a dozen in New England and seven in Virginia. In a recent twist, 42 parishes in Fresno County, Calif., are now involved in a legal battle with the national church over church property. The national church contends the property belongs to it while the parishes believe otherwise.
The Fresno parishes have aligned with the conservative Anglican Church of the Southern Cone of America, based in Argentina.
The Lambeth Conference is an Anglican Communion of Bishops that gathers every 10 years and is scheduled to do so in August. Robinson was not invited by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who is the leader of the Church of England. A compromise by three American bishops to allow Robinson to participate in a diminished capacity failed. Robinson said in a March letter printed in the church publication, The Lead, he would not attend but has since changed his position.
He said in recent interviews he would spend the conference at the adjoining Marketplace to explain how gay relationships are compatible with Christianity. In an interview promoting his new book, Robinson said he and his partner of 20 years are planning a June civil union in his home church.
The Delaware Diocese includes 39 Episcopal churches and Rowe said next year’s general convention would be the time they would address any policy issues regarding the ordination of homosexuals if they intend to do so.
