NEWS Episcopal church confirms first openly gay US bishop August 6, 2003 MINNEAPOLIS, USA - The US Episcopal Church on Tuesday confirmed the election of its first gay bishop, in an historic but divisive vote that left opponents warning it could cause a permanent schism. A majority in the church's House of Bishops voted to approve Reverend Gene Robinson's appointment as bishop of New Hampshire, according to the church's presiding bishop Frank Griswold. The decision came after three days of contentious debate and talk of splits in church ranks and even schism. Conservatives within the two-million strong US denomination and the wider Anglican Communion have fiercely opposed the appointment which they believe runs counter to Biblical teachings, and they were quick to express their disapproval following the vote. "This body has divided itself from millions of Anglican Christians around the world," said the bishop for Pittsburg, Robert Duncan. "With grief too deep for words, the bishops who stand before you must reject this action," he said, surrounded by a handful of like-minded colleagues, including bishops from the states of Florida, Texas, South Carolina, California, North Dakota, Indiana and Illinois. "As faithful Episcopalians and members of this house, we are calling upon the primates of the Anglican Communion under the presidency of the Archbishop of Canterbury ... to intervene in this pastoral emergency that has overtaken us." Acknowledging the ill will raised by Robinson's appointment, Griswold appealed for calm. "What a difficult moment this is for many people. I ask you all to be profoundly sensitive to each other," he said. -Sapa-AFP Related stories Cape Town Anglican archbishop calls for dialogue on gay bishop Episcopalians delay vote on church's first openly gay bishop Episcopalian church weighs confirmation of gay bishop Vatican to call on Catholic politicians to oppose gay marriages Vatican alarmed at growing legal acceptance of same-sex unions Vatican waging new offensive against same-sex marriage Conservative Anglican leaders internationally lobby against gays Christian group attacks "homosexual agenda" in Singapore Gay prelate who turned down bishop's post says he has support