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Today, however, he believes that different sexual orientations are "part of the magnificence of God's creation."

Robinson described the day of his election as charged with the pent-up energy of a 16-month search process. After deputies cast their first ballot, "It was quiet, people were on their knees praying," he said. "And the Spirit—I think most people there agree on this—was so present that you could feel the hairs on your neck standing up."

Although Robinson has said since his election that he has no intention of withdrawing as the next bishop of New Hampshire, on Thursday night he said he has asked God for guidance on that issue.

"I pray as hard as I can," he said. "I work very hard with my spiritual director to make sure the voice I hear in my head is God's voice and not my own magnificent imitation of God's voice. And I put one foot in front of the other."

If General Convention does not confirm his election, "I can tell you I'll be talking a lot to God and to the Diocese of New Hampshire," he said. "This issue isn't going to go away. I'm not going to go away."

Robinson believes that the presence of any openly homosexual bishop would enhance the House of Bishops. "No one bishop can represent the full unity of the church," he said. "The corporate symbol of the episcopate becomes a fuller symbol when someone gay or lesbian is in those ranks."

Asked if there would be less discord if he had been elected earlier in the year—when regional standing committees and bishops would have decided on his confirmation individually rather than collectively—Robinson showed no regrets.

"We'd still be having a hullabaloo, but it would be taking place in a different setting"—and behind closed doors. "I'm not sure we aren't better for having it take place in the open."

"I'm thankful that I get the opportunity to be a face to people. The other process would have been all on paper," he said. "It's about an issue, but it's also about a person, and I'm that person."

Robinson spoke proudly about working with young people through all of his career as an Episcopal priest, and as a cofounder of Concord Outright, which works to "create safe, positive, and affirming environments for young gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, and questioning people ages 22 and under."

"More than anybody else, young people will not up with B.S. for long," Robinson said. "Maybe it was learning that from them that helped me to come out."

Douglas LeBlanc is an Associate Editor of Christianity Today.

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Other LeBlanc dispatches appearing on our site today include:

What in the World Is God Doing? | For Episcopalians, the night may be darkest before the dawn.

Deputies Slice into the Gordian Knot | The Episcopal Church's House of Deputies approve Gene Robinson as New Hampshire Bishop. The House of Bishops will vote today.

Praise the Lord and Pass the Condoms | Southern Hemisphere primates warned that approving Gene Robinson would place the church outside most of the world's 72 million Anglicans. "You'll get over it," responded about 60 percent of the House of Deputies.

See LeBlanc's earlier dispatches from the General Convention:

Gene and Me | My history with the openly gay man elected bishop of Rochester

Integrity Doles Out God's Not-So Inclusive Love | The Integrity Eucharist has become a triennial sort of mass pity party.

Gay Rites Would Not Bless Ecumenism | Could also impair Anglican work overseas.

More coverage of the General Convention is available from the ECUSA website, which has streaming video. Conservative and orthodox perspectives are available from Classical Anglican Net News, the American Anglican Council's A Place to Stand, and David Virtue's Virtuosity.

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August (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47