Bully for U.S. Anglicans

I was sort of an Anglican myself at one time. I say sort of because, while I was baptized and confirmed in the Faith, I don't remember ever believing any of the dogma, particularly the God part. Nonetheless, that doesn't stop me from giving the Church its due when it deserves it. And it does from time to time. This week, the Episcopal Church (the Anglican body in the U.S.) approved Mary Glasspool as its second gay bishop. The Reverend Glasspool is also the second woman bishop in the diocese of Los Angeles.

The first gay bishop approved was V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire in 2003, and the first woman approved in the Los Angeles diocese was Diane Bruce earlier this year. Reverends Glasspool and Bruce will be consecrated by the head of the Episcopal Church, Presiding Bishop Katharine Schori, on May 15th in Los Angeles.

The usual grumbling was heard of course. The head of the international church, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, warned the American church that Glasspool's election "raised very serious questions not just for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the Communion as a whole." Well, deal with it, Archbishop. And you go, Mary.