Los Angeles, Calif., Aug 3, 2009 / 08:51 am
In 2003 the Episcopal Church was nearly torn in two by the nomination of the openly homosexual V. Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire. After a recent vote at the church's general convention to lift a moratorium on consecrating gay bishops, two dioceses have selected nominees who will test the vote.
The Diocese of Los Angeles announced on Sunday that it had narrowed its search for two assistant bishops down to six candidates. The slate of potential bishops includes Mary Douglas Glasspool, who is a practicing lesbian, and John L. Kirkley, a homosexual. Other nominees are: Rev. Canon Diane M. Jardine Bruce, Rev. Zelda M. Kennedy, Rev. Silvestre E. Romero and Rev. Irineo Martir Vasquez.
The assistant bishops will serve under the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
Bishop Bruno, who held one-on-one meetings with the candidates, said, "I affirm each and every one of these candidates, and I am pleased with the wide diversity they offer this Diocese."
The final decision on who will be selected as an assistant bishop will take place at the Diocesan Convention in Riverside, California on December 4-5.