This afternoon, Gene Robinson, 56, took his place as the ninth Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire, becoming the first openly gay bishop in the history of Christendom.
His election by New Hampshire parishioners last June, his confirmation by the Episcopal Church in August, and his consecration in November have triggered a crisis that threatens to tear apart this influential Protestant denomination.
There are more than 2 million Episcopalians in America, and worldwide there are 75 million in what is known as the Anglican Communion.
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