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Openly Gay Bishop Tapped for Inauguration

Robinson will speak Sunday, has been critical of Warren

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 12, 2009 12:36 PM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama has asked Bishop V. Gene Robinson, the only openly gay Episcopal bishop, to deliver the invocation at the opening event of Inauguration Week, the Boston Globe reports. Robinson had been among those who criticized Obama for asking same-sex marriage opponent Rick Warren to deliver the main inaugural invocation.

“It will be an enormous honor to offer prayers for the country and the new president,” Robinson wrote in an email. “It is also an indication of the new president’s commitment to being the president of ALL the people.” In that spirit, Robinson intends to offer “a prayer for the whole nation,” which means it won’t be “especially Christian.”

Gene Robinson, the openly gay Anglican Bishop from Concord New Hampshire, , speaks to the Associated Press at St. Mary's Church in Putney, London, Sunday July 13, 2008.
Gene Robinson, the openly gay Anglican Bishop from Concord New Hampshire, , speaks to the Associated Press at St. Mary's Church in Putney, London, Sunday July 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
President-elect Barack Obama finishes speaking about the economy Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.
President-elect Barack Obama finishes speaking about the economy Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
US bishop V. Gene Robinson greets an unidentified person during the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England, Thursday, July 31, 2008.
US bishop V. Gene Robinson greets an unidentified person during the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England, Thursday, July 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/PA, Gareth Fuller)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Guest
Jan 12, 2009 5:46 AM CST
How many "FAR lefts" have you ever even seen? You talk about political parties like they're something you saw on Discovery Channel being chased by Steve Irwin. Saying Obama is a Commie and a "FAR left" are like saying GW is an Evangelical abortion-clinic protest-leader splashing people with blood to change their minds. Go have another Corona and leave the serious talk to the adults.
Guest
Jan 12, 2009 5:12 AM CST
My heritage is Anglican and I am proud that the US church stands firm for equal treatment of all regardless of thei private bedroom behavior. The foreign Anglicans who snub Bishop Gene Robinson revolt me.
justme
Jan 12, 2009 4:00 AM CST
You need to chill, guy. Even lefties are still citizens. Besides, the righties didn't do America any favors in a lot of areas over the past 8 years. Obama sold the left to win and now seems to be setting up to rule from the middle. I hope the Dems back him. Already nutty Reid is rattling sabers.

Robinson: 'Church is starting to get it right'
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Robinson talks about the inaugural prayer
Concord (NH) Monitor

This is a sign of Obama's strength
Politico

 
Barack Obama • gay marriage • Episcopal Church • Gene Robinson • Episcopalian • inauguration • Rick Warren • gays • President Obama

 
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