Sunday, December 6, 2009

Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles Elects Lesbian as Assistant Bishop

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles elected a lesbian as assistant bishop on December 5, 2009 -- the second openly gay bishop in the Anglican fellowship, which is already deeply fractured over the first.

The Rev. Mary Glasspool, 55, of Baltimore needs approval from a majority of dioceses across the church before she can be consecrated as assistant bishop in the Los Angeles diocese, according to the Associated Press.

Her victory underscored a continued Episcopal commitment to accepting same-sex relationships, despite enormous pressure from other Anglicans to change their stand.

The head of the Episcopal Church, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, is scheduled to consecrate Glasspool on May 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, if the church accepts the vote.

The Episcopal Church -- which is the Anglican body in the United States -- caused an uproar in 2003 by consecrating the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. This consecration caused much discontent among Anglicans, resulting in many of them to leave the church.

Several weeks ago Pope Benedict XVI eased the process for Anglicans to convert to Catholicism, because of the plethora of Anglicans who were disenchanted with their church.

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