LONG BEACH, Calif. — Seven years after the Episcopal Church caused an uproar by consecrating its first openly gay bishop, it has done the same thing again — only this time with a woman.
The Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool, of Baltimore, was ordained and consecrated on Saturday, making her the second openly gay bishop in church history and one of the first two female bishops in the Diocese of Los Angeles’ 114-year history.
She was installed at Long Beach Arena before 3,000 people, who burst into applause at the end, church spokesman Bob Williams said.
Just before the ceremony began, a man stood, shouted about the need to repent and held up a sign that read “Do not be deceived, homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God.” After he was escorted out, a young boy in the same section rose holding a Bible and shouted similar slogans. Security guards also led him out.
The Rev. Canon Diane Jardine Bruce, of San Clemente, Calif., was also ordained Saturday.
The two women were elected last December to serve as assistant bishops in the diocese’s six-county territory but conservative Episcopalians had urged the church not to ordain Glasspool. The decision to do so highlights a continued Episcopal commitment to accepting same-sex relationships despite enormous pressure from other Anglicans.
The Episcopal Church, which is the Anglican body in the United States, caused turmoil in the church in 2003 by consecrating the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.
Breakaway Episcopal conservatives have formed a rival church, the Anglican Church in North America.
Several overseas Anglicans have been pressuring Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams to recognize the new conservative entity.
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