EDGE on the Net

The election of an open lesbian to the post of assistant bishop in Los Angeles marks the second time the United States’ arm of the Anglican church has named a GLBT candidate to such a post, but some fear the occasion--celebrated by gay people of faith--could precipitate a final fracture in the Anglican church.

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles elected a lesbian as assistant bishop; although the entire U.S. church must ultimately vote on her ascension, Rev. Mary Glasspool is expected to become the second gay bishop.

Clergy and laypeople voting to replace two retiring assistant bishops in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles will choose Friday from a pool that includes two openly gay candidates.

Episcopal clergy in Eastern Massachusetts have gotten the okay from their bishop not only to bless, but also to sign off on, same-sex marriages.

At Saint Mary the Virgin Catholic Church, the 75-year-old priest is married, members sing from an Episcopalian hymnal and parishioners kneel at the altar to receive Communion.

Episcopalians in the Diocese of South Carolina will consider resolutions this week to distance the diocese from the national Episcopal Church because of its positions on same-sex marriage and ordination of gays.

A conservative Los Angeles-area church that broke away from the Episcopal Church over theological differences and the consecration of a gay bishop is giving up its property.

Marcia Kear’s three daughters were married at St. James Anglican Church. Her mother’s funeral was there. She said she found the Holy Spirit there. But she may have to give up the bayside sanctuary; Kear is among theologically conservative breakaway Episcopalians fighting over parish property in a long-running rift over how churchgoers should interpret what the Bible says about gay relationships and many other issues.

The Diocese of Los Angeles has nominated the Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool to serve as its bishop’s suffragan (or assistant.) The Rev. John L. Kirkley of San Francisco is among the other candidates. And the Rev. Bonny Perry is among the candidates for bishop of the Diocese of Minnesota.

Two Episcopal priests in same-gender relationships are among the nominees for assistant bishop of Los Angeles, officials said Sunday.