Long Beach, Calif. -
On Saturday, the Episcopal Church will ordain a lesbian as bishop, making her only the second openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church.
The Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool, of Baltimore, will be consecrated Saturday at a ceremony in Long Beach, California.
"My commitment is to reach out to those who think or believe differently," Rev. Glasspool told the
Long Beach Press Telegram. "I'd like to extend a hand of respect and reconciliation, and pray that we can continue to come around the alter together."
This is a big day for women's rights as well.
Glasspool will be ordained with Rev. Canon Diane Jardine Bruce. They will be the first women ever ordained as bishops in the history of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
In 2003, the Episcopal Church consecrated their first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.
Since then, Episcopal conservatives have formed their own church, the Anglican Church in North America.
The Long Beach Press Telegram says that Rev. Glasspool met her life partner, Becki Sander, in 1988 while Sander was studying for a degree in theology and social work in Boston. They have been together for 22 years.
This weekend is also the Long Beach Gay Pride Celebration, but the church says that is just a coincidence.
The Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool, of Baltimore, will be consecrated Saturday at a ceremony in Long Beach, California.
"My commitment is to reach out to those who think or believe differently," Rev. Glasspool told the
Long Beach Press Telegram. "I'd like to extend a hand of respect and reconciliation, and pray that we can continue to come around the alter together."
This is a big day for women's rights as well.
Glasspool will be ordained with Rev. Canon Diane Jardine Bruce. They will be the first women ever ordained as bishops in the history of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
In 2003, the Episcopal Church consecrated their first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.
Since then, Episcopal conservatives have formed their own church, the Anglican Church in North America.
The Long Beach Press Telegram says that Rev. Glasspool met her life partner, Becki Sander, in 1988 while Sander was studying for a degree in theology and social work in Boston. They have been together for 22 years.
This weekend is also the Long Beach Gay Pride Celebration, but the church says that is just a coincidence.
