MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 1 — Moving one step closer to a choice that some Episcopalians say threatens the unity of their denomination, a church committee today endorsed ratifying the election of a New Hampshire bishop who would be the first openly gay bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Consideration of the Rev. Canon V. Gene Robinson, the bishop-elect, now moves to the legislative houses of the Episcopal Church U.S.A., which is meeting here and could decide the matter by Monday. Next week, church leaders will also decide whether to create a liturgy for blessing same-sex couples.
In a hotel ballroom so full by 7 a.m. that scores of people had to wait outside, Mr. Robinson's supporters, including his daughter, told the committee of his long history of service to the church and to his family, and warned that church leaders should not interfere with a choice New Hampshire Episcopalians, who...
