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CNN Live Sunday
Vote To Commence Soon On Allowing Gay Episcopal Bishop
Aired August 03, 2003 - 16:00 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.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: The debate is under way, and a critical vote is coming up. It's the first of two final votes on making an openly gay Episcopal priest the new bishop of New Hampshire. Church delegates are meeting in Minneapolis, and Susan Candiotti is there with the latest -- Susan.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Sean. Yes, the vote should be getting under way momentarily. It's due to begin around this time but has not started just yet. And as you began to explain, it is one of two votes that are critical to Reverend Gene Robinson in order for him to be elevated to a bishop in the U.S. Episcopal church, which is part of the worldwide Anglican community.
Now, this vote is very important for him because he wants to reach his goal, not only of becoming a bishop, but also of becoming the first openly gay bishop in the U.S. Episcopal church. Now, the voting will take place in what's called the House of Deputies tomorrow in the House of Bishops. In this case more than 800 deputies will be voting representing just about 110 dioceses in the United States.
Those who favor Reverend Gene Robinson say that he would make a very good bishop. After all, they argue, he was elected by his own diocese in New Hampshire. However, under the canon law here, he must be ratified by this entire body.
They also say it would be historic for the church to show that they are a forward-moving church and that's why they wish him to seek -- and to win, rather, ratification. However, those who are opposed to this move argue that if he does become a bishop, because he is involved in an openly gay relationship, that will cause a split within the Episcopal faith and possibly divide this church from the wider Anglican faith -- Sean.
CALLEBS: Well, Susan, you're exactly right. And what is going on right now? The vote is scheduled to perhaps take place within this hour, but right now we see a lot of activity.
CANDIOTTI: Exactly. They're just beginning to introduce the fact that they are going to start the debate now. That will go on for roughly 45 minutes or so. They have limited it to that amount of time because they have indeed been debating this issue for the past several days. Once that happens, they have an electronic gizmo that they will use to record their vote. So we should know fairly instantaneously, or almost instantaneously what the result is. After that there will be a news conference to discuss what has happened, and we will hear from Reverend Gene Robinson either way. CALLEBS: Well, Susan, the Reverend Robinson was married before, has two children. His family has been outspoken in their support of him. Any support there in Minneapolis today from his family?
CANDIOTTI: Yes. His youngest daughter, who was 21 years old, has been here for the past several days. As far as we know, her mother is not here, and older sister. But they have been quite prominent in their support for him. They say that they are still a very close and loving family and have a good relationship with Reverend Robinson's partner, who has also been here throughout. And there have -- we talked to a number of people yesterday, delegates as they were preparing to vote. Many people have already made up their mind and say one way or the other. A few undecided votes. But I think we pretty much have heard the arguments pro and con up to now.
CALLEBS: Exactly. Susan Candiotti, thanks very much. And during the course of the next half hour to 45 minutes we will be dipping in and out of the debate going on in Minneapolis as the movement continues as they try and approve, as bishop, the Reverend Gene Robinson. Stay with us.
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 August 3, 2003 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: The debate is under way, and a critical vote is coming up. It's the first of two final votes on making an openly gay Episcopal priest the new bishop of New Hampshire. Church delegates are meeting in Minneapolis, and Susan Candiotti is there with the latest -- Susan.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Sean. Yes, the vote should be getting under way momentarily. It's due to begin around this time but has not started just yet. And as you began to explain, it is one of two votes that are critical to Reverend Gene Robinson in order for him to be elevated to a bishop in the U.S. Episcopal church, which is part of the worldwide Anglican community.
Now, this vote is very important for him because he wants to reach his goal, not only of becoming a bishop, but also of becoming the first openly gay bishop in the U.S. Episcopal church. Now, the voting will take place in what's called the House of Deputies tomorrow in the House of Bishops. In this case more than 800 deputies will be voting representing just about 110 dioceses in the United States.
Those who favor Reverend Gene Robinson say that he would make a very good bishop. After all, they argue, he was elected by his own diocese in New Hampshire. However, under the canon law here, he must be ratified by this entire body.
They also say it would be historic for the church to show that they are a forward-moving church and that's why they wish him to seek -- and to win, rather, ratification. However, those who are opposed to this move argue that if he does become a bishop, because he is involved in an openly gay relationship, that will cause a split within the Episcopal faith and possibly divide this church from the wider Anglican faith -- Sean.
CALLEBS: Well, Susan, you're exactly right. And what is going on right now? The vote is scheduled to perhaps take place within this hour, but right now we see a lot of activity.
CANDIOTTI: Exactly. They're just beginning to introduce the fact that they are going to start the debate now. That will go on for roughly 45 minutes or so. They have limited it to that amount of time because they have indeed been debating this issue for the past several days. Once that happens, they have an electronic gizmo that they will use to record their vote. So we should know fairly instantaneously, or almost instantaneously what the result is. After that there will be a news conference to discuss what has happened, and we will hear from Reverend Gene Robinson either way. CALLEBS: Well, Susan, the Reverend Robinson was married before, has two children. His family has been outspoken in their support of him. Any support there in Minneapolis today from his family?
CANDIOTTI: Yes. His youngest daughter, who was 21 years old, has been here for the past several days. As far as we know, her mother is not here, and older sister. But they have been quite prominent in their support for him. They say that they are still a very close and loving family and have a good relationship with Reverend Robinson's partner, who has also been here throughout. And there have -- we talked to a number of people yesterday, delegates as they were preparing to vote. Many people have already made up their mind and say one way or the other. A few undecided votes. But I think we pretty much have heard the arguments pro and con up to now.
CALLEBS: Exactly. Susan Candiotti, thanks very much. And during the course of the next half hour to 45 minutes we will be dipping in and out of the debate going on in Minneapolis as the movement continues as they try and approve, as bishop, the Reverend Gene Robinson. Stay with us.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
