Episcopal Gay Bishop Robinson Plans to Retire; Cites Death Threats, Strain on Family and Church

Bishop V. Gene Robinson -- the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church -- yesterday (November 6, 2010) announced at the annual convention of the New Hampshire diocese that he plans to retire in January 2013.

The 63-year-old bishop cited death threats and the strain that the worldwide rift has placed on him, his family, and the church, according to the Boston Globe website.

Robinson told the convention, "Death threats, and now worldwide controversy surrounding your election of me as a bishop, have been a constant strain, not just on me, but on my beloved husband, Mark, who has faithfully stood with me every minute of the last seven years."

Robinson's consecration in 2003 as an openly gay bishop in America's Episcopal Church -- a branch of the Anglican Church -- was a critical factor in dividing the Anglican Communion worldwide. Several other modern changes adopted by the Anglican Church in recent years -- and considered to be contrary to Christ's teachings by many Christians -- also played a major role in convincing thousands of Anglicans to convert to Roman Catholicism during the past few years.