Gene Robinson
The Right Reverend Gene Robinson | |
---|---|
Bishop of New Hampshire | |
Episcopal Church | |
Diocese | New Hampshire |
Elected | June 7, 2003 |
Installed | March 7, 2004 |
Term ended | January 5, 2013 |
Predecessor | Douglas E. Theuner |
Successor | A. Robert Hirschfeld |
Orders | |
Ordination | December 15, 1973 by George Rath |
Consecration | November 2, 2003 by Frank Griswold |
Personal details | |
Born | Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. | May 29, 1947
Denomination | Anglican |
Spouse |
|
Children | 2 |
Profession | Clergyman |
Education |
Vicky Gene Robinson[a][1] (born May 29, 1947) is a retired bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire.[2][3] Robinson was elected bishop coadjutor in 2003 and succeeded as bishop diocesan in March 2004. Before becoming bishop, he served as Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of New Hampshire.
Robinson is widely known for being the first
In 2010, Robinson announced his intention to retire in 2013 at 65.[4] His successor is A. Robert Hirschfeld.[5]
Early life
Robinson's parents were poor tenant farmers who worked in the
Education and marriage
Robinson chose the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, in 1965 because they offered him a full scholarship.[2] Robinson intended to study towards a medical degree but decided to major in American studies. During his college days, Robinson began to seriously consider the ordained ministry and said it almost immediately felt right.[2] During high school and then college, Robinson had been exploring philosophical and theological questions and has said, "The Episcopal Church got a hold on me." He graduated from Sewanee cum laude[1] with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American studies in 1969 and attended seminary that fall.[2] Robinson studied for a Master of Divinity degree from the Episcopal General Theological Seminary in New York City.
While doing an intern year as a chaplain at the University of Vermont, he began dating his future wife, Isabella "Boo" Martin. Robinson says that about "a month into their relationship, [he] explained his background and his fears about his sexuality." They continued dating and, as Robinson puts it, "about a month before the marriage, [he] became frightened that ... this thing would raise its ugly head some day, and cause her and me great pain." Robinson and Martin discussed it and decided to go ahead with the marriage in 1972.[2]
Early career and children
Robinson received his degree in 1973 and was
In 1977, Robinson began working with a committee in the Diocese of New Hampshire to study human sexuality and co-authored a small manual on the subject.[2] Robinson and Boo's first daughter, Jamee, was born in 1977, followed by a second daughter, Ella, in 1981.[2] Robinson treasures his marriage stating, "[T]hat is inextricably tied up with having children. And since I cannot imagine my life without Jamee and Ella, it's just a completely irrelevant question for me. And I don't regret having been married to Boo, either, even if there had not been children. It's just a part of my journey, and why would I possibly regret that?"[2]
Coming out and career
Robinson came out to his and Boo's friends in 1986[8] and he sold his share in the business to Boo. They remained friends.[2]
In November 1987, Robinson met his partner, Mark Andrew, while on vacation in
Robinson became
Robinson and his daughters are very close. Ella helped her father with public relations at the General Convention in 2003. Just a week before. his daughter Jamee had given birth to his first granddaughter.[2][3][15]
Election as bishop
Robinson was elected bishop by the New Hampshire diocese on June 7, 2003, at St. Paul's Church in Concord. Thirty-nine clergy votes and 83 lay votes were the threshold necessary to elect a bishop in the Diocese of New Hampshire at that time. The clergy cast 58 votes for Robinson, and the laity voted 96 for Robinson on the second ballot.
Robinson won the first two of three votes required for his election to be ratified, but allegations suddenly arose in August 2003 that Robinson had inappropriately touched a male parishioner and had connections with OutRight.org, which at the time carried a link to AllThingsBi.com, a resource site for
The male parishioner of Manchester, Vermont (in a diocese neighboring Robinson's) who had alleged the "touching" was then reported to have said, during the investigating committee's telephone call with him, that the acts in question were two separate occasions of what felt to him like intentionally seductive arm-squeezing and back-stroking, although in a public setting. The man acknowledged that others might have regarded the two incidents as "natural", yet the incidents were disturbing to him nonetheless.[2] The investigating committee's report also stated that the man regretted having used the word "harassment" in his e-mail, and that the man declined an invitation to bring formal charges.[2] After a two-day investigation, neither allegation proved of merit.[2] The House of Bishops voted for Robinson in the affirmative, with 62 in favor, 43 opposed, and 2 abstaining.[2]
Consecration as bishop
This poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. )Find sources: "Gene Robinson" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (October 2022) |
The election in New Hampshire, like all elections of bishops in the Episcopal Church, was done by a synodical election process, unlike many other parts of the Anglican Communion where bishops are appointed.
The Elections and Transitions Committee arranged for the
Robinson's election and consecration prompted a group of 19 bishops, led by
Episcopate
Reports from Britain describe how Robinson has received death threats, had to wear bulletproof vests, and needed protection since his election and consecration.[21][22][23]
In February 2006, Robinson was treated at an inpatient rehabilitation facility to deal with his "increasing dependence on alcohol".[2] Diocesan officials were surprised by the news and asserted that they did not notice his alcoholism affect his ministry in any way. The Episcopal Church, through its General Convention, has long recognized alcoholism as a treatable human disease, not a failure of character or will. The members of the Standing Committee issued a statement fully supporting Robinson.[24] He returned to work in March 2006.[25]
Robinson was featured prominently in a documentary film entitled For the Bible Tells Me So, which screened at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.[26]
He has opposed the Roman Catholic ban on homosexual seminarians, stating: "I find it so vile that they think they are going to end the child abuse scandal by throwing out homosexuals from seminaries."[27]
Due to the controversy surrounding his consecration, Bishop Robinson was not invited to the 2008
Robinson did however visit the United Kingdom privately in July 2008, during which he participated in a film screening and question and answer session with
In 2009 Robinson was selected to deliver the invocation at the kickoff event of President
In April 2009, Robinson made the Out magazine Third Annual Power 50 list of the most influential gay men and women in the US, landing at number 7.[46] In August 2009, Gene Robinson was a key speaker at the 2009 Greenbelt Festival, held at Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire, England. Here he delivered three talks, each garnering an attendance in the thousands, based not only on his views of Christianity and homosexuality, but also on human sexuality in general and the rights of LGBT members of society. The three talks were entitled "Homosexuality: What the Bible says & why it matters", "Keeping your cool in the eye of the storm" and "Sexuality and spirituality: keeping them together".[47] As well as these three talks, Gene Robinson made a big impact on some gay and lesbian festival-goers by leading them collectively in prayer on the second night of the festival as part of a small group.
In 2009 he was given the
In 2012, Macky Alston premiered a documentary about Robinson, Love Free or Die: How the Bishop of New Hampshire is Changing the World, it was screened at Sundance Film Festival.[48][49]
Since retirement
After resigning as bishop of New Hampshire in 2013, Robinson moved to Washington, D.C. to join the Center for American Progress as a senior fellow and serve as bishop-in-residence at St. Thomas' Parish.[50] In 2014, Robinson and his husband, Mark Andrew, divorced.[51] In 2017, Robinson was named Vice-President and Senior Pastor of the Chautauqua Institution, a center for arts, education, recreation and religion in upstate New York.[52]
See also
Notes
- ^ Robinson states his birth name as Vicky Gene Robinson from his grandfather Victor and his mother Imogene; as a baby he was not expected to survive and his parents were expecting a girl. Various sources also reported "Vicki" and "Imogene". Robinson and most reliable sources use V. Gene Robinson.
- Otis Charles is a retired bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah. After his retirement in 1993, Charles publicly came out as a gay man, the first Christian bishop ever to take such a step.
References
- ^ a b Bates, Stephen (October 30, 2003). "The Guardian profile: Gene Robinson". The Guardian. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-933368-22-1.
- ^ a b "The Right Reverend V. Gene Robinson: IX Bishop of New Hampshire". Diocese of New Hampshire.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Kerber, Ross; Cooney, Peter (November 7, 2010). "First openly gay Episcopal bishop to retire in 2013". Reuters. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
- ^ Robinson, Gene (November 6, 2010). "Bishop of New Hampshire Calls for Election of Successor". Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. Retrieved January 5, 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Gross, Terry (January 10, 2013). "Fresh Air interview". NPR.org.
- ^ Timmins, AnnMarie (July 19, 2003). "Years of rejection, now understanding: Bishop-elect has accepted his homosexuality". Concord Monitor. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
- ^ "Gay bishop Gene Robinson: '20 years ago, coming out was almost like committing suicide'". Pink News. September 9, 2009. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
- ^ "A Church Asunder". The New Yorker. April 17, 2006. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
- ^ Love, Norma (June 9, 2008). "N.H. Gay Bishop, Partner Unite in Civil Union". The New York Sun. Associated Press.
- ^ "Bishop Robinson, Mark Andrew joined in Civil Union". Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. June 7, 2008. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008.
- ^ Priscilla Greear (December 4, 2007). "Gay Episcopal Bishop Prepares for June Wedding". EDGE Miami.
- ^ "Gay bishop plans civil union with partner of 18 years". CNN. Reuters. May 10, 2007. Archived from the original on May 16, 2007.
- ^ Robinson, Gene (May 4, 2014). "A Bishop's Decision to Divorce". The Daily Beast.
- ^ "New Hampshire's Bishop Gene Robinson". Fresh Air. NPR. December 9, 2004.
- ^ Flad, Ethan (August 5, 2003). "Virtual Trickery Backfires". TheWitness.org. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved October 26, 2007.
- ^ Barnes, Fred (August 4, 2003). "The Gay Bishop's Links: Episcopalian bishop-elect Gene Robinson has some curious affiliations". The Weekly Standard.
- ^ Kidman, Cathy (August 4, 2003). "Outright: News Release August 4, 2003". Archived from the original on November 26, 2005.
- ^ Gledhill, Ruth (December 10, 2009). "Canon Mary Glasspool: time for Church to open door to rights for gays". The Times.
- ^ "Archbishop - difficult days ahead". Archbishop of Canterbury. August 6, 2003. Archived from the original on February 2, 2007.
- ^ Buncombe, Andrew (November 3, 2003). "Consecrated: but nothing prepared Gene Robinson for the protests". The Independent. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
- ^ "Williams criticised by gay bishop". BBC News. April 30, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
- The Advocate. October 28, 2003. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
- ^ Bibber, Paula (February 13, 2006). "Letters from the Bishop and the Standing Committee". Diocese of New Hampshire news release. Archived from the original on January 20, 2010.
- ^ Robinson, V. Gene (March 7, 2006). "Bishop's Return" (Press release). Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. Archived from the original on January 20, 2010.
- ^ "For the Bible Tells Me So". Forthebibletellsmeso.org. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
- ^ "Gay bishop attacks Catholic stand". BBC News. November 6, 2005. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
- ^ Landau, Christopher (January 1, 2008). "US Church 'unfairly criticised'". BBC News. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
But Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori says she thinks he might yet be invited.
- ^ Vara, Richard (January 12, 2008). "Carey says Anglican Communion is in crisis". Houston Chronicle.
- ^ "Global Anglican Future Conference in Holy Land announced by Orthodox Primates". GAFCON. December 24, 2007. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008.
- ^ "Preaching to the converted—Gene Robinson is the Anglican church's only openly gay bishop. He was denied an invitation to this week's Lambeth conference but came anyway and on Sunday gave a dramatic sermon in London disrupted by heckling. What's all the fuss about? Stephen Bates explains, while political sketch-writer Simon Hoggart, theatre critic Lyn Gardner and gay atheist Gareth McLean review the bishop's performance". The Guardian. July 14, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
- ^ Siddique, Haroon (July 14, 2008). "Gene Robinson 'saddened' by London church heckler—The presence in the UK of the first openly gay Anglican bishop has highlighted the schism within the church". The Guardian. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
- ^ "Protest disrupts bishop's sermon". BBC News. July 13, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
- ^ Davies, Rob (July 18, 2008). "Sir Ian McKellen: I received death threats". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
- ^ Schjonberg, Mary Frances (July 22, 2008). "Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation". Episcopal Church. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
- ^ Daunt, Tina (December 20, 2008). "Obama's choice of Rick Warren to lead prayer dismays Hollywood liberals". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Zeleny, Jeff; Kirkpatrick, David D. (December 19, 2008). "Obama's Choice of Pastor Creates Furor". The New York Times.
- ^ Goodstein, Laurie (January 15, 2009). "Rick Warren Chooses Silence". The New York Times.
- ^ Donaldson James, Susan (January 20, 2009). "Pastor Warren Sets Inclusive Tone at Inaugural: Under Fire for Anti-Gay Views, Warren Avoids Controversy at Obama's Inaugural Invocation". ABC News.
- ^ Gordon, Rachel (January 21, 2009). "Gays, lesbians hopeful despite inaugural pastor". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ "Initiative Measure Title and Summary (07-0068)" (PDF). California Attorney General. November 29, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 24, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2009.
- California Secretary of State. July 3, 2008. Archived from the originalon April 30, 2009.
- ^ "Pastor Rick Warren Sparks 'Culture Wars'". ABC News. Retrieved November 28, 2009.
- ^ "Obama chooses gay bishop to pray at inaugural event". Los Angeles Times. January 13, 2009.
- ^ "Why gay bishop's prayer didn't air on HBO music special". San Francisco Chronicle. January 19, 2009.
- ^ "3rd Annual Power 50". Out. April 3, 2009.
- Greenbelt festival. 2009. Archived from the originalon July 16, 2012.
- ^ Rooney, David (January 23, 2012). "Love Free or Die: Sundance Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- ^ "Meet the 2012 Sundance Filmmakers #17: Macky Alston, "Love Free Or Die"". indiewire.com. January 8, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
- ^ Zoll, Rachel (May 4, 2014). "1st openly gay Episcopal bishop to divorce husband". Yahoo! News. Associated Press. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
- ^ "Gene Robinson named to two Chautauqua Institution posts". Episcopal News Service. May 22, 2017. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
Further reading
- Hein, David; Shattuck, Gardiner H. Jr. (2004). The Episcopalians. New York: Church Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89869-497-0.
- Robinson, Gene (2008). In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God. Seabury Books. ISBN 978-1-59627-088-6.
External links
- Biography of Bishop Robinson at the Diocese of New Hampshire website
- Messages from Bishop Robinson
- CNN June 8, 2003 "Episcopalians Approve Gay Bishop, and Conflict"
- CNN November 2, 2003 "Gay bishop-elect: 'This is what God wants for me'"
- The Guardian 10/21/03 "Profile: Gene Robinson"
- Online radio interview with Gene Robinson and Donald Armstrong, March 2007
- Invocation at "We Are One" Concert before Obama Inaugural on YouTubevideo recorded January 18, 2009.
- Interview of Gene Robinson by Terry Gross of NPR Station WHYY's Fresh Air, January 2013
- Op-ed piece in USA Today by Gene Robinson regarding the Hobby Lobby case