SAN FRANCISCO - Three openly gay candidates for Episcopal Bishop of California trailed in early voting yesterday, indicating that church members may avoid widening a rift over homosexuality in the global Communion.
Clergy and laypeople packed Grace Cathedral in San Francisco's exclusive Nob Hill neighbourhood to elect a successor to longtime Bishop William Swing, who is retiring.
After two rounds of voting were announced, the Rt Rev Mark Andrus of Alabama, who is white, was leading among the clergy, and Canon Eugene Sutton of Washington, DC, who is black, was leading among the laity. Both are heterosexual.
No gay or lesbian cleric has been elected bishop since the consecration of Eugene Robinson in 2003 as bishop of New Hampshire threw the US church and the worldwide family of 77 million Anglicans into turmoil.
The two gay men and one lesbian among the seven candidates are in long-term relationships.
- REUTERS
Gay bishop candidates trailing
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