Gay Vicar Consecrated In US
The world's first openly gay Bishop has been consecrated in the US amid threats of a split in the Anglican Church.
The ceremony to consecrate Canon Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire was marred by protests. Church leaders have warned that his consecration could "tear the fabric" of the Anglican Communion.
Several objectors rose during the service and read statements of protest to the 4,000-strong congregation.
Local police were patrolling the perimeter of the hall - a University of New Hampshire sports centre - in the small town of Durham, north of Boston.
Fearing that there could be an attempt on Canon Robinson's life by anti-gay extremists, members of the congregation, including clergymen, had to wait for up to an hour to pass through metal detectors.
Sniffer dogs were led through the queue and a law enforcement agent stood on the roof with binoculars.
Divorced father-of-two Canon Robinson, 56, is constantly trailed by FBI bodyguards after receiving death threats and hate mail.
Watched by his parents, his partner of 15 years Mark Andrew, and even a serving prisoner he once baptised, Canon Robinson was consecrated after the laying-on of hands by bishops.
Among several testimonials read out was one from the outgoing Bishop Douglas Theuner, who said there was "no known impediment preventing Canon Robinson being consecrated.
But earlier in the ceremony presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, leading the service, said to the congregation "if you know any reason why we should not proceed, let it now be made known".
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd 2003, All Rights Reserved.
The ceremony to consecrate Canon Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire was marred by protests. Church leaders have warned that his consecration could "tear the fabric" of the Anglican Communion.
Several objectors rose during the service and read statements of protest to the 4,000-strong congregation.
Local police were patrolling the perimeter of the hall - a University of New Hampshire sports centre - in the small town of Durham, north of Boston.
Fearing that there could be an attempt on Canon Robinson's life by anti-gay extremists, members of the congregation, including clergymen, had to wait for up to an hour to pass through metal detectors.
Sniffer dogs were led through the queue and a law enforcement agent stood on the roof with binoculars.
Divorced father-of-two Canon Robinson, 56, is constantly trailed by FBI bodyguards after receiving death threats and hate mail.
Watched by his parents, his partner of 15 years Mark Andrew, and even a serving prisoner he once baptised, Canon Robinson was consecrated after the laying-on of hands by bishops.
Among several testimonials read out was one from the outgoing Bishop Douglas Theuner, who said there was "no known impediment preventing Canon Robinson being consecrated.
But earlier in the ceremony presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, leading the service, said to the congregation "if you know any reason why we should not proceed, let it now be made known".
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd 2003, All Rights Reserved.
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