OHIO: BISHOP ROBINSON SAYS OPPOSING BISHOPS VIOLATED ORDINATION VOWS

By Richard N. Ostling — Associated Press

The Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson, stated it is “pretty clear” that five retired bishops who led a confirmation service in Ohio—without permission from the diocesan bishop—breached their ordination vows.

The event, held at the invitation of six conservative congregations, aimed to provide episcopal oversight for parishes alienated by Ohio Bishop J. Clark Grew II’s support of Robinson’s 2003 consecration. Those parishes do not recognize Grew’s authority.

Speaking before receiving the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Leadership Award, Robinson expressed openness to alternative oversight in his own New Hampshire diocese—if visiting bishops respect his authority and do not seek to detach congregations from the Episcopal Church.

He endorsed Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold’s proposal for supervised episcopal visits but acknowledged conservatives likely find it insufficient. Their demand: guaranteed access to bishops aligned with their theological convictions.

Robinson’s elevation has become a watershed not only for LGBTQ+ advocacy—earning him honors from The Advocate and features on 60 Minutes—but also for deepening fractures within the Anglican Communion.

“I have this double life,” he remarked. “I’m not the ‘gay bishop’ in New Hampshire. I’m just the bishop.”