Glasspool’s elevation to bishopric sparks more controversy in Anglican Communion around the world
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| CELEBRATION | Canon Diane M. Jardine Bruce, left, and the Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool congratulate each other after their ordination and consecration ceremony on Saturday, May 15. (Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo) |
The Right Rev. Mary Glasspool has become the second openly gay Episcopal bishop and the first lesbian to hold that office.
More than 3,000 people were in attendance for the consecration at Long Beach Arena on Saturday, May 15. Glasspool will serve the Los Angeles diocese.
Bishop Gene Robinson became the first openly gay bishop when he was consecrated in 2004. He serves the New Hampshire diocese.
The Anglican Church, as the worldwide denomination is known, as well as more conservative dioceses led by several in North Texas, asked for a moratorium on ordaining gay or lesbian bishops.
The Episcopal Church, however, voted overwhelmingly to support full membership of LGBT people, including ordination at all levels.
Several dioceses, including Fort Worth, withdrew from the Episcopal Church while maintaining the Anglican affiliation.
Soon after that vote, the Los Angeles diocese nominated two openly gay priests for assistance bishop and in December elected one of them, Glasspool, to be bishop.
The first woman elevated to bishop was Barbara Harris, who was elevated in 1989. She was one of the co-consecrators at the ceremony for Glasspool.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition May 21, 2010.
