Gene Robinson
Bishop of New Hampshire
Province	Episcopal Church of the United States
Diocese	New Hampshire
Enthroned	2004
Ended	Incumbent
Predecessor	Douglas Edwin Theuner
Ordination	9 June, 1973
Consecration	2 November, 2003
Born	29 May, 1947 Lexington, Kentucky

The Right Reverend V. The Episcopal Church is the official name of the Province of the Anglican Communion in the United States. The Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, a Diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA covers the entire state of New Hampshire Lexington (officially Lexington-Fayette Urban County is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 68th largest in the United States. Gene Robinson (born May 29, 1947 (1947-05-29) (age 61)) is the ninth bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight The Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, a Diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA covers the entire state of New Hampshire The Episcopal Church is the official name of the Province of the Anglican Communion in the United States. ^[1] Robinson was elected bishop in 2003 and entered office on March 7, 2004. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 161 - Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Prior to becoming bishop, he served as assistant to the retiring New Hampshire bishop.

Robinson is best known for being the first openly gay, noncelibate priest to be ordained a bishop in any Christian denomination believing in the historic episcopate. Closeted Coming out (that is " coming out of the closet " describes the voluntary public announcement of one's Sexual orientation and/or Gender identity In the English language, gay is an Adjective that in modern usage refers to Homosexuality. The episcopate is the collective body of all Bishops of a church His homosexual feelings were privately acknowledged in the 1970s, when he studied in seminary, was ordained, married, and started a family. Homosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the same sex or to a Homosexual orientation. He went public with his sexual identity and divorced in the 1980s. When delegates to the Episcopal convention were voting on the ratification of his election, he was a controversial figure. His election was ratified 62 to 45. After his election, theologically conservative parishes have aligned themselves with bishops outside the Episcopal Church in the USA, a movement called the Anglican realignment. Anglican realignment is a term used to describe a movement of dissenters within some Anglican dioceses and parishes particularly within the American Episcopal His story has appeared in print and film.

Contents 1 Personal life 2 Election as bishop 2.1 Diocese of New Hampshire 2.2 House of Deputies 2.3 Allegations of impropriety 2.4 House of Bishops 3 Ordination as bishop 4 Fallout 5 Jeffrey John's precedent 6 Treatment for alcoholism 7 Cultural references 8 See also 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External links

Personal life

Robinson was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, which has since been consolidated with its principal city, Lexington. Fayette County is a County located in the US state of Kentucky. The Commonwealth of Kentucky ( is a state located in the East Central United States of America. Lexington (officially Lexington-Fayette Urban County is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 68th largest in the United States. ^[2] His parents were poor tenant farmers who worked in the tobacco fields as tobacco sharecroppers. Tobacco is an Agricultural product recognized as an addictive drug processed from the fresh Leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. Sharecropping is a system of agriculture or agricultural production in which a landowner allows a tenant to use the land in return for a share of the crop produced on the land (e The family used an outhouse, drew water from a cistern, and did laundry in a cast-iron tub over an open flame. For cisterns in Neuroanatomy, see Cistern (neuroanatomy.For the village in England see Syston. Their house did not have running water until Robinson was ten years old. ^[2]

When Robinson was born, he was so seriously ill that the doctor was certain he would not survive. He was temporarily paralyzed from birth and his head was misshapen. So likely was Robinson's death that the physician asked Robinson's father — Charles — for a name for the baby's birth and death certificates. Robinson's parents were young — his mother Imogene was twenty — and they were hoping for a girl. ^[2] They named the baby "Vicki Gene Robinson" for Charles' father Victor and the baby's mother Imogene. ^[3]

For a long time, Robinson's parents believed the boy would die soon. Much later in life, Robinson's father would tell him he couldn't take any joy in the boy's development because he always thought each step was going to be the last thing. ^[2] Robinson's parents were and still are members of a small Disciples of Christ congregation. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ is a Mainline Protestant denomination in North America Robinson describes his childhood as very religious. ^[2] Robinson had perfect Sunday School attendance for thirteen years. ^[2] Robinson chose The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee in 1965 because they offered him a full scholarship. The University of the South is a private Coeducational liberal arts college located in Sewanee, Tennessee. Sewanee is an unincorporated town in Franklin County, Tennessee, United States, treated by the U ^[2] Robinson intended to study towards a medical degree but decided to major in American Studies. American studies or American civilization is an interdisciplinary field dealing with the study of the United States. During his college days, Robinson began to seriously consider the ordained ministry and said it almost immediately felt right. ^[2]

During high school and then college, Robinson had been exploring philosophical and theological questions and has said, "The Episcopal Church got a hold on me. " He graduated from Sewanee with a B.A. in American Studies in 1969 and attended seminary that fall. ^[2] Robinson studied for a Master of Divinity degree from the Episcopal General Theological Seminary in New York City. In Christian Theology, the Master of Divinity ( MDiv, Magister Divinitatis in Latin) is the first Professional degree The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church is located at 175 9th Avenue near 21st Street in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City The City of New York While doing an intern year as a chaplain at the University of Vermont, he met his future wife, "Boo," and began dating.

Robinson says that about "a month into their relationship, [he] explained his background and his fears about his sexuality. " They continued dating, and as Robinson puts it "about a month before the marriage, [he] became frightened that . . . this thing would raise its ugly head some day, and cause her and me great pain. " Robinson and Boo discussed it and decided to go ahead with the marriage in 1972. ^[2]

Robinson received his degree in 1973, and was ordained a deacon on 9 June 1973 at the cathedral in the diocese of Newark, New Jersey. In a general sense the term Holy Orders refers to those in the Christian religion who have been ordained in Apostolic Succession. Deacon is a role in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind but which varies among theological and denominational traditions Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. History Anglicans have been worshipping in the area since 1695 He served as curate at Christ Church in Ridgewood, New Jersey and was ordained a priest six months later. From the Latin curatus (compare Curator) a curate is a person who is invested with the ''care'' or ''cure'' (''cura'' ''of souls'' of a Ridgewood is a village in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. A priest or priestess is a person having the authority or power to administer religious rites in particular rites of sacrifice to and propitiation of a deity or deities He and his wife remained at the Ridgewood parish for two years until 1 June 1975. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Robinson and his wife moved to New Hampshire, where Boo had grown up, in the summer of 1975. New Hampshire ( is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. Their goal was to start a business and ministry: in the winter it was called "The Sign of the Dove Retreat Center" and in the summer it became "Pony Farm. " Boo still runs "Pony Farm" as a horse camp for children. ^[2] In 1977, Robinson began working with a committee in the diocese of New Hampshire to study human sexuality and co-authored a small manual on the subject. ^[2]

Robinson does not regret his marriage and said,

“

That is inextricably tied up with having children. And since I cannot imagine my life without Jamee and Ella, it's just a completely irrelevant question for me. And I don't regret having been married to Boo, either, even if there had not been children. It's just a part of my journey, and why would I possibly regret that?[2]

”

Robinson and Boo's first daughter — Jamee — was born in 1977, followed by a second daughter — Ella — in 1981. ^[2]

Robinson came out to his and Boo's friends and he sold out his part of the business to Boo. Closeted Coming out (that is " coming out of the closet " describes the voluntary public announcement of one's Sexual orientation and/or Gender identity They remain friends. ^[2] In November 1987, Robinson met his current partner — Mark Andrews — while on vacation in St. Croix. Andrews was on vacation and worked in Washington, D.C. at the national office of the Peace Corps. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D The Peace Corps is an independent United States federal agency. On 2 July 1988, Robinson and Andrews moved into a new house and had it blessed by Bishop Douglas Theuner, an event which they considered to be the formal recognition of their life together. Events 310 - Pope Miltiades is elected 626 - In fear of assassination Li Shimin ambushes and kills his rival Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) ^[2] Andrews currently works in the New Hampshire state government. He was legally joined to Robinson in June, 2008, in a private civil union ceremony, followed by a religious ceremony, both in St Paul's Church, Concord. Civil unions in New Hampshire are permitted under state law between unrelated same-sex individuals and are intended to provide the same "'rights responsibilities and obligations' The city of Concord (ˈkɒnkərd often mispronounced as " Concorde " is the Capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States ^[4][5] Earlier, Robinson had said, "I always wanted to be a June bride. "^[6][7]

Robinson became Canon to the Ordinary in 1988, the executive assistant to the then bishop of New Hampshire, Douglas Theuner. A canon (from the Latin canonicus, itself derived from the Greek κανωνικος 'relating to a rule' is a priest who is a member of certain bodies of the Robinson remained in this job for the next seventeen years until he was elected bishop. ^[2] Robinson and his daughters are very close. Ella actively helped her father with public relations at the General Convention in 2003. Just a week before the General Convention, Robinson had been with his daughter Jamee and held his four-hour-old first granddaughter. ^[2] He now has two granddaughters. ^[8][1]

Election as bishop

Diocese of New Hampshire

Robinson was elected bishop by the New Hampshire diocese on June 7, 2003 at St. Events 1099 - The First Crusade: The Siege of Jerusalem begins Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Paul's Church in Concord, New Hampshire. The city of Concord (ˈkɒnkərd often mispronounced as " Concorde " is the Capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States Thirty-nine clergy votes and 83 lay votes were the threshold necessary to elect a bishop in the Diocese of New Hampshire at that time. The clergy voted 58 votes for Robinson and the laity voted 96 for Robinson on the second ballot. ^[2]

House of Deputies

The Episcopal Church requires in its Canon 16 that the election procedure and the candidate who is elected be subjected to review and must be consented to by the national church. No objections were raised to the procedure of the election. If diocesan election occurred within 120 days (3 months) of a General Convention, canon law requires consent by the House of Deputies and then the House of Bishops at the General Convention itself. ^[2]

Consent to the election of Robinson was given in August at the 2003 General Convention. The General Convention of 2003 became the center for debate over Robinson's election, as conservatives and liberals within the Church argued over whether Robinson should be allowed to become bishop. Conservatism is a term used to describe political philosophies that favour Tradition, where tradition refers to various religious cultural or nationally defined Liberalism is a broad array of related ideas and theories of Government that consider individual Liberty to be the most important political goal Some conservative elements threatened a schism within both the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion should Robinson be elected. The word schism (ˈsɪzəm or /ˈskɪzəm/ from the Greek σχίσμα skhísma (from σχίζω skhízō, "to tear to split"

Before the House of Deputies can vote on a resolution, a legislative committee must examine the piece of legislation first. The Committee on the Consecration of Bishops held a two-hour hearing on Robinson's election and supporters and opponents were allowed to speak. One of the speakers was Robinson's daughter, Ella, who read a letter from his ex-wife Boo in strong support of Robinson. The House of Deputies, which consists of laypersons and priests, voted in the affirmative: the laity voted 63 in favor, 32 opposed, and 13 divided; the clergy voted 65 in favor, 31 opposed, and 12 divided. ^[2]

Allegations of impropriety

Robinson won the first two of three votes required for his election to be ratified, but allegations suddenly arose on August 4, 2003 to the effect that he had "inappropriately touched" an adult male Vermont parishioner on two occasions at a New England area conference, and also had connections with outright.org, which at the time carried a link to allthingsbi.com, a resource site for bisexual people that included links to pornography sites. Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Bisexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of both sexes or to a bisexual orientation Pornography or porn is the explicit depiction of Sexual subject matter with the sole intention of sexually exciting the viewer The final vote was postponed to address these last-minute charges.

David W. Virtue, a critic of gay ordination, brought up the pornography allegation, claiming that: "Gene Robinson's website is linked by one click to 5,000 pornographic websites. "^[9] When no such link was found on the Diocese of New Hampshire web page profiling the bishop-elect, Virtue stated that the link was on the website of an organization Robinson supported. Robinson was already known to be associated with Outright, a secular organization for the support of young homosexual people. Fred Barnes, a Fox News commentator, repeated the allegations on the website of The Weekly Standard. Fred Barnes may refer to Fred Barnes (performer (1885-1938 English music hall artist Fred Barnes (journalist, American journalist The Weekly Standard is an American opinion Magazine published 48 times per year ^[10] On the day the allegations arose, the website issued a press release^[11] stating that it had removed the offending link, that it had been unaware of the pornographic links on allthingsbi. com, and that Robinson had no involvement with that particular chapter of Outright.

The male parishioner of Manchester, Vermont — a neighboring diocese to Robinson's — who had alleged the "touching," was then reported to have said, during the investigating committee's telephone call with him, that the acts in question were two separate occasions of what felt to him like intentionally seductive arm-squeezing and back-stroking, although in a public setting. The man acknowledged that others might have regarded the two incidents as "natural," yet the incidents were disturbing to him nonetheless. ^[2] The investigating committee's report also stated that man regretted having used the word "harassment" in his e-mail, and that man declined an invitation to bring formal charges. ^[2] No journalist ever contacted the man for confirmation of any details of the investigating committee's report.

House of Bishops

After a two day investigation, neither allegation proved of merit. ^[2] The House of Bishops voted for Robinson in the affirmative, with 62 in favor, 43 opposed, and 2 abstaining. ^[2]

Ordination as bishop

The Elections and Transitions Committee arranged for the Whittemore Center to be used for the consecration, a large hockey rink on the campus of the University of New Hampshire in Durham. Whittemore Center Arena or Whit is a multi-purpose Arena in Durham New Hampshire on the campus of the University of New Hampshire. University of New Hampshire ( UNH) is a public university in the University System of New Hampshire (USNH United States. Durham is a town in Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States. The numbers expected were about 3 000 people, 300 press, a 200 strong choir, and 48 bishops. The security was strong: just as Barbara Harris had to wear a bullet-proof vest at her consecration, Robinson was showing his bullet-proof vest to Harris herself. The Rt Rev Barbara Clementine Harris (born 12 June 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) was the first woman ordained a Bishop Robinson's parents, sister, daughter and their families and his ex-wife Boo were all at the consecration. Robinson was consecrated on November 2, 2003 in the presence of Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold and six co-consecrating bishops: 48 bishops in all. Events 1570 - A Tidal wave in the North Sea devastates the coast from Holland to Jutland, killing more than 1000 Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Frank Tracy Griswold III was the 25th Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. ^[2]

Fallout

Robinson's appointment prompted a group of 19 bishops, led by Bishop Robert Duncan of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, to make a statement warning the church of a possible schism between the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Robert William Duncan Jr (born July 5, 1948) is an Anglican Bishop, formerly of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh in the Episcopal The Diocese of Pittsburgh, founded in 1865 is a Diocese in the Episcopal Church of the United States of America. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, stated that "[it] will inevitably have a significant impact on the Anglican Communion throughout the world and it is too early to say what the result of that will be. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the chief bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Rowan Douglas Williams, PC, DD, DCL, FBA, (born 14 June 1950 in Swansea, Wales) is an Anglican " He added: "[I]t is my hope that the church in America and the rest of the Anglican Communion will have the opportunity to consider this development before significant and irrevocable decisions are made in response. "^[12] Retired South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu stated that he did not see what "all the fuss" was about, saying the election would not roil the Church of the Province of Southern Africa. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Desmond Mpilo Tutu (born 7 October 1931) is a South African Cleric and activist who rose to Worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent The Anglican Church of Southern Africa is the Anglican province in the southern part of Africa, including 23 Dioceses in Angola,

Other senior bishops of the church, like Peter Akinola, Archbishop of the Church of Nigeria and head of the Global South, have made Robinson a figurehead in their dispute with the Episcopal Church. Peter Jasper Akinola (born 27 January 1944) is the current Anglican Primate of the Church of Nigeria. The Church of Nigeria is the Anglican Church in Nigeria. It is the second-largest Province in the Anglican Communion, as measured The North-South Divide is the socio-economic and political division that exists between the wealthy developed countries, known collectively as "the Disaffected Episcopalians have disaffiliated from the Episcopal Church and formed the Convocation of Anglicans in North America with the support of the Nigerian church. The Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA is an Anglican body in the United States comprised primarily of U

Due to the controversy surrounding his consecration, Bishop Robinson has not been invited to the 2008 Lambeth Conference by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. The Lambeth Conferences are decennial assemblies of Bishops of the Anglican Communion convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Rowan Douglas Williams, PC, DD, DCL, FBA, (born 14 June 1950 in Swansea, Wales) is an Anglican ^[13] A group of conservative bishops (including bishops Akinola and Duncan) who are opposed to Robinson's consecration are planning to gather in Jerusalem one month prior to Lambeth 2008, at the Global Anglican Future Conference, an event which is perceived by some as schismatic. The Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON was a seven day conference of conservative Anglican bishops and leaders which was held in Jerusalem in June ^[14][15]

Jeffrey John's precedent

The election in New Hampshire — like all elections of bishops in the Episcopal Church — was democratic: the Episcopal Church is a representative democracy unlike most parts of the Anglican Communion where bishops are appointed. ^[2] This detail would be misunderstood when the international commentary following Robinson's election suggested he should voluntarily step down or be asked to do so. ^[2] The Jeffrey John case in the Church of England is the best example to contrast the election of bishops with the appointment of bishops. Jeffrey Philip Hywel John, SCP, (born 10 February 1953) is a Church of England cleric and the current Dean of St Albans The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican ^[2] Jeffrey John is an openly gay priest living in a long-standing celibate (he self-identifies as celibate) relationship and was appointed as a bishop. ^[2] One person, the bishop of Oxford, had the authority to make Jeffrey John the new bishop suffragan of Reading. ^[2] The Archbishop of Canterbury — himself appointed by one person on the authority of another person — trumped the appointment and pressured Jeffrey John to step down. ^[2] This was entirely appropriate for the Archbishop of Canterbury where there was no expectation of lay involvement or a wider consensus among the clergy in the decision. ^[2] This precedent would be used by the wider Anglican Communion to pressure Robinson. ^[2] But as Robinson says himself, "there was not a single bishop involved in the choosing of me to be bishop of New Hampshire. "^[2]

Treatment for alcoholism

On February 14, 2006, Robinson was treated at an inpatient rehabilitation facility, after arriving at the facility on February 1, 2006. Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[2] Robinson wrote to his community in an email, explaining that he voluntarily sought the help he needed: "I am writing to you from an alcohol treatment center where, with the encouragement and support of my partner, daughters and colleagues, I checked myself in to deal with my increasing dependence on alcohol. " He added that he had been dealing with alcoholism for years "as a failure of will or discipline on my part, rather than a disease over which my particular body simply has no control, except to stop drinking altogether. Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions "^[2]

Diocesan officials were surprised by the news and asserted that they did not notice his alcoholism affect his ministry in any way. The Episcopal Church, through its General Convention, has long recognized alcoholism as a treatable human disease, not a failure of character or will. The members of the Standing Committee issued a statement fully supporting "our bishop and his family as he confronts the effects of alcohol on his life, and we commend him for his courageous example to us all, as we pray daily for him and for his ministry among us. "^[16] He returned to work on March 8, 2006. Events 1618 - Johannes Kepler discovers the third law of planetary motion. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[17]

Cultural references

Robinson was featured prominently in a documentary film entitled For the Bible Tells Me So, which screened at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. For the Bible Tells Me So is a 2007 documentary directed by Daniel G ^[18]

See also

• Gay bishops
• Homosexuality and Anglicanism
• Homosexuality and Christianity

References

Further reading

• Hein, David; Gardiner H. Shattuck, Jr. (2004). The Episcopalians. New York: Church Publishing. ISBN 0898694973.  
• Robinson, Gene (2008). In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God. Seabury Books. ISBN 1596270888.  

External links

• Biography of Bishop Robinson at Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire website
• Current and archived messages from Bishop Robinson
• CNN 08/06/03 "Episcopalians Approve Gay Bishop"
• CNN 10/21/03 article from before Robinson consecration
• The Guardian 10/21/03 "Profile: Gene Robinson"
• Video: Interview with Gene Robinson and Daniel Kerslake (director of For The Bible Tells Me So) at Sundance 2007
• Online radio interview with Gene Robinson and Donald Armstrong, March 2007

The Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, a Diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA covers the entire state of New Hampshire

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