1st Openly Gay Bishop to Retire

Gene Robinson, the openly gay Episcopalian whose election to bishop reverberated through the religious world, will take early retirement in 2013, reports the Boston Globe. "The last seven years have taken their toll on me, my family, and you,” Robinson told an annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, adding, "this decision comes after much prayer and discernment about what God wants for us."

“Death threats, and the now-worldwide controversy surrounding your election of me as bishop, have been a constant strain, not just on me, but on my beloved husband, Mark, who has faithfully stood with me every minute of the last seven years.” Robinson added that he would not be a "lame-duck" bishop over the next two years, and pledged to be "fully engaged."
(More Eugene Robinson stories.)