Anglican/ Episcopalian gay bishop, partner joined in civil union
Pastor Dale Morgan
Anglican/ Episcopalian gay bishop, partner joined in civil union*
By NORMA LOVE,
Associated Press Writer AP - Monday, June 9
CONCORD, N.H. - The first openly gay Anglican/Episcopal bishop and his
partner of 20 years have been united in a private civil union.
The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson was legally joined to Mark Andrew, his
partner of 20 years, in a civil ceremony Saturday, the Episcopal Diocese
of New Hampshire announced.
Civil unions became legal in New Hampshire this year.
The union was performed five years to the day after New Hampshire
Episcopalians elected him as their bishop.
The civil and a following religious service of thanksgiving were both
held at St. Paul's Church in Concord.
Robinson had made public his intention to join his partner, but had kept
the date secret out of concern about security. Spokesman Mike Barwell
said the ceremony was intentionally private.
"Initially, the idea was to have it in a public building to make clear
it was a public civil ceremony and a private thanksgiving ceremony,"
Barwell said Sunday.
The plan changed out of respect for next month's worldwide Anglican
church conference in England, called the Lambeth Conference, and out of
concern for the couple's security.
Robinson had announced in March that he would have no official role in
that conference, saying restrictions that organizers wanted to place on
his involvement had caused him "considerable pain."
Robinson was told last year that he could not fully participate in the
once-a-decade gathering in England as the world Anglican Communion has
been on the brink of schism over his 2003 election.
The civil union was performed by Ronna Wise, a longtime friend and
justice of the peace.
About 120 family and close friends attended.
Robinson and Andrew decided to enter the union before Robinson's trip to
ensure they have legal protections New Hampshire's civil union law gives
gay couples. The law bestows all the rights and responsibilities of
marriage, which includes inheritance and other rights enjoyed by married
couples.
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On the Net:
Diocese: http://www.nhepiscopal.org/