CONTACTAbout UsCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The Reverend Gene Robinson returned to his home church in Concord, N.H., Sunday to the hugs and handshakes of hundreds of parishioners and led the blessing there for the first time since becoming the first openly gay Episcopalian confirmed as a bishop. Dressed in street clothes, he sat in a pew in the middle of the congregation for the morning service at St. Paul's Church. He led the final blessing and afterward drank coffee and talked with parishioners in the church basement. "New Hampshire has never looked so good," said Robinson, who returned Saturday evening from the Episcopalian convention in Minneapolis, where his election as bishop was confirmed. The service was more crowded than usual for a Sunday in August. "There was a lot more energy than usual too," said church member Robyn Cotton. A few families have left the church because of Robinson's election, but the excitement has been positive, she said. "We're trying to take Gene's lead and be humble," she said. "We feel as though God's blessing is raining down on us." The Episcopal General Convention on Tuesday confirmed Robinson as bishop-elect of the Diocese of New Hampshire. The group also gave its affirmation to same-sex blessing ceremonies, though it rejected a proposal to establish an official liturgy for such ceremonies. The Episcopal Church, with 2.3 million members, is the U.S. branch of the 77 million-member Anglican Communion. Robinson, a 56-year-old divorced father of two who has lived with his partner, Mark Andrew, for more than 13 years, had predicted his confirmation would strengthen the church by underscoring its diversity, though some conservative Episcopalian leaders have threatened to break away. The American Anglican Council, which represents Episcopalian conservatives, said it will seek authorization to create a separate group in North America. "Clearly I've been called to play a role here," Robinson said. "But if anyone leaves the church, it's because they've chosen to, not because they've been asked to or forced to. I don't hold the future of the Anglican Church on my shoulders."
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
31 Period Films of Lesbians and Bi Women in Love That Will Take You Back
December 09 2024 1:00 PM
18 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said
October 30 2024 11:06 AM
True
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
Trump ally Laura Loomer goes after Lindsey Graham: ‘We all know you’re gay’
September 13 2024 2:28 PM
These 15 major companies caved to the far right and stopped DEI programs
January 24 2025 1:11 PM
True
Latest Stories
Immigration's public image crisis is fueled by Trump and right-wing extremists
February 11 2025 7:10 PM
Pete Hegseth receives jeers from U.S. service members’ families at military base in Germany
February 11 2025 5:12 PM
Booz Allen Hamilton drops sponsorship of WorldPride, cites Donald Trump's anti-DEI order
February 11 2025 4:29 PM
Dad's heartwarming reaction to his son coming out as gay goes viral 8 years later
February 11 2025 12:55 PM
Trump taps gay MAGA loyalist Ric Grenell as interim head of Kennedy Center
February 11 2025 11:52 AM
Google Calendar removes Pride Month and Black History Month shortly after dropping DEI
February 11 2025 11:20 AM
Trump Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth enacts harshest anti-trans military policies yet
February 11 2025 9:57 AM