Episcopal Gay Priest Wins Vote

almost makes me believe in God.
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MINNEAPOLIS — The first openly gay priest to be chosen an Episcopal bishop stood on the verge of approval Sunday as he won a key vote that opponents said could split one of the nation's oldest and most influential churches.

The Rev. Canon V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire must still win approval by the nation's Episcopal bishops, who are scheduled to take up the matter today. But both sides in the debate at the church's 74th General Convention here expect the bishops to follow the lead of Sunday's vote in the church's House of Deputies.

The deputies approved Robinson's election by roughly a 2-1 margin, according to the official church tally.

Later this week, the church's General Convention is scheduled to debate a further step — developing rites to bless same-sex unions.

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