Episcopalians Nominate Gay Clergy

In a move that may drive a further wedge between the Anglican church and its Episcopalian counterpart in the U.S., two priests in same-gender relationships have been nominated for assistant bishop of Los Angeles. The Associated Press reports that Los Angeles Bishop Jon Bruno was "pleased by the wide diversity" of the field. The nominations come two weeks after the Episcopal General Convention voted to drop a pledge to act with "restraint" when considering gay candidates for bishop. No openly gay bishop has been consecrated since 2003, when V. Gene Robinson became bishop of New Hampshire, as Anglican leaders asked Episcopals for a temporary ban on the practice in order to keep the 77-million strong Anglican Communion together.