DURHAM, N.H. – With conservative leaders of the Anglican Communion threatening a schism, and protestors holding signs proclaiming ‘God hates fags,’ University of New Hampshire students gathered Sunday to support the Episcopal Church’s consecration of its first openly gay bishop.
Students clustered along the right side of the path leading to the Whittemore Center Arena nearly two hours before the ceremony to consecrate Rev. V. Gene Robinson. On the other side, separated by 30 feet of concrete, two orange fences and a formidable police force, protesters mostly from Westboro Baptist Church based in Topeka, Kan. stood in opposition.
‘This really incensed people,’ New Hampshire sophomore Maggie Cedarstrom said.
Cedarstrom said people were instant messaging the link to the protesting group’s website and passing around copies of their newsletter. She and other women from her dormitory came to the ceremony to support Robinson.
Some student members of the American Friends Service Committee, acting as ‘peace-keeping ushers,’ said they came in the spirit of non-violence.
Kate Follis, a junior family studies major at New Hampshire, wore a white arm band to identify herself as a peacekeeper.
‘We’re here to help ensure that there is no violence,’ she said.
Follis said she was told that the protestors’ strategy is to provoke people to attack them so they can file lawsuits claiming their First Amendment rights were violated. But even though she was prepared, Follis said, ‘It’s so shocking that some of these people are here … It’s just very offensive to me to see ‘God hates fags’ on signs.’
The student protestors retorted with their own banners. Some read, ‘If only closed minds came with closed mouths,’ and, ‘Jesus didn’t teach you to hate!!’ They chanted ‘two-four-six-eight, Jesus loves you gay or straight,’ and they cheered as people lined up to enter the arena.
They cheered even louder when the ceremony let out six hours later. The number of anti-gay protestors dwindled from 15 to five, and the throngs of New Hampshire students continued to cheer.
Reverend John P. Streit, Jr., dean of Boston’s Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. Paul, said he was ‘oddly touched by the student support.’ He said the group from Westboro Baptist Church has a consistent, homophobic presence in the region, so he was ready for them. But, he added, the student turnout was ‘quite endearing.’
Streit said his congregation has shown overwhelming support for Robinson’s appointment. His Boston parish began talking about the issue of homosexuals in the Church five or six years ago, and Streit said he has even given two sermons addressing the consecration. A few people drifted away from the congregation, but Streit said, ‘For most people it was not a problem or an issue.’
Blaine Butler, a New Hampshire sophomore and regular attendee of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Durham, said he thinks people, including the pastor, Rev. Michael L. Bradley, are generally supportive in his congregation. But, Butler said, in contrast to the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston, St. George’s has not formally addressed the issue.
Inside the arena, thousands of Episcopalians, some from across the country, gathered to witness Robinson’s consecration. Rick Schmidt came from a parish in San Diego, from what he called a liberal congregation in a conservative diocese.
‘[I have] seen so many changes in my life,’ Schmidt said. ‘This is a culmination for me in my life as an Episcopalian.’
On Oct. 16, members of the American Anglican Council met with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams leader of the Anglican Church in London to address their grievances. While the Archbishop said on behalf of the Anglican Communion that he feared Robinson’s appointment would create a schism, he acknowledged the autonomy of the Episcopal Church, USA, the American province of the Anglican Church.
During the ceremony, three people read their objections to the consecration. Bishop David Bena of Albany read on behalf of the North American Anglican Bishops and, citing the concerns from the Archbishop of Canterbury, warned that Robinson’s consecration would create a split among worshippers. But the ceremony went along as scheduled.
The newly consecrated Robinson fought back tears while addressing the congregation later during the ceremony. He spoke about marginalized people in the Church and said he hopes his appointment can help bring them to the center. He also called upon his supporters to show compassion and acceptance for those who respectfully disagreed with his consecration.
The congregation saluted him with a long, loud standing ovation.