Anglican Diocese of California Considers Gay Bishops in Crunch Elections

Saturday 6th May 2006 could prove decisive in the future of the worldwide Anglican Communion, as the Episcopal Diocese of California elects its new bishop. The potential to open a unprecedented global rift in the Communion is immense as three of the seven candidates are openly gay.

In 2003 the Episcopal Church of the USA elected the first openly homosexual bishop in the Anglican Communion’s 450 year history, Gene Robinson in New Hampshire. That event created shock waves across the worldwide Communion, which are still very much felt today, as a heated debate on the matter continues.

Since that time, the issue has been such a delicate topic that no further gay or lesbian clerics have been elected bishop.