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CNN Live Sunday
New Hampshire Episcopalians Elect Gay Bishop
Aired June 08, 2003 - 18:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN ANCHOR: Episcopalians in New Hampshire have elected an openly gay man as their next bishop. It is an unprecedented move that could drive a serious wedge through the church. Kevin Flynn with CNN affiliate WMUR has details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KEVIN FLYNN, WMUR CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The cheer from inside St. Paul's Church blew away eardrums and microphones. A convention of Episcopal clergy and lay delegates elected Gene Robinson (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to be their next bishop. He becomes the first bishop within the Anglican communion, or virtually any Christian church, who is openly gay.
NINA STEVENS, CHURCH MEMBER: He's a wonderful spiritual person and I think he's the right choice for this diocese. I think he will lead us forward in a positive way.
FLYNN: After winning the vote, Robinson was congratulated by his partner and his children from a previous marriage. He says the office will pose challenge for him, but he, too, poses challenge for the greater church.
REV. GENE ROBINSON, BISHOP-ELECT: My nomination and my election is problematic for lots of people around, and lots of nasty comments come your way. So it's not an easy thing to say yes to.
FLYNN: But those at the convention found it easy to say yes to Robinson. He was chosen over three other reverends, on only the second ballot.
(on camera): But some of the delegates are having problems reconciling the bishop-elect's sexual orientation. At least one delegate left the convention in tears, saying that she's going to have to leave the church now.
REV. TERESA GOCHA, EPISCOPAL CLERGY: There are people who are sad and disappointed. And my heart breaks with them, but we all had to trust the spirit.
ROBINSON: We always talk about the people who will leave because of this. Think of the people who will come because of this.
FLYNN (voice-over): Although they made history in the church, supporters say Robinson's sexual orientation was not the reason they voted for him. GAIL HARGROVE, CHURCH MEMBER: To me it's a non-issue, and I hope it is for everyone else. Because he's just such a good man that you couldn't ask for a better one to come in and be your bishop.
FLYNN: In Concord, Kevin Flynn, WMUR News 9.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired June 8, 2003 - 18:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN ANCHOR: Episcopalians in New Hampshire have elected an openly gay man as their next bishop. It is an unprecedented move that could drive a serious wedge through the church. Kevin Flynn with CNN affiliate WMUR has details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KEVIN FLYNN, WMUR CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The cheer from inside St. Paul's Church blew away eardrums and microphones. A convention of Episcopal clergy and lay delegates elected Gene Robinson (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to be their next bishop. He becomes the first bishop within the Anglican communion, or virtually any Christian church, who is openly gay.
NINA STEVENS, CHURCH MEMBER: He's a wonderful spiritual person and I think he's the right choice for this diocese. I think he will lead us forward in a positive way.
FLYNN: After winning the vote, Robinson was congratulated by his partner and his children from a previous marriage. He says the office will pose challenge for him, but he, too, poses challenge for the greater church.
REV. GENE ROBINSON, BISHOP-ELECT: My nomination and my election is problematic for lots of people around, and lots of nasty comments come your way. So it's not an easy thing to say yes to.
FLYNN: But those at the convention found it easy to say yes to Robinson. He was chosen over three other reverends, on only the second ballot.
(on camera): But some of the delegates are having problems reconciling the bishop-elect's sexual orientation. At least one delegate left the convention in tears, saying that she's going to have to leave the church now.
REV. TERESA GOCHA, EPISCOPAL CLERGY: There are people who are sad and disappointed. And my heart breaks with them, but we all had to trust the spirit.
ROBINSON: We always talk about the people who will leave because of this. Think of the people who will come because of this.
FLYNN (voice-over): Although they made history in the church, supporters say Robinson's sexual orientation was not the reason they voted for him. GAIL HARGROVE, CHURCH MEMBER: To me it's a non-issue, and I hope it is for everyone else. Because he's just such a good man that you couldn't ask for a better one to come in and be your bishop.
FLYNN: In Concord, Kevin Flynn, WMUR News 9.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
