Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold announced Tuesday morning that the House of Bishops would hear a report in the afternoon session about the investigation of the Rev. Gene Robinson, bishop coadjutor-elect of New Hampshire.
“It appears that Bishop Scruton will be ready to give a report this afternoon,” said Griswold. “Then we will be able to move into the consent process for the bishop of New Hampshire.”
Bishop Gordon Scruton of Western Massachusetts led the 24-hour investigation into allegations of wrongdoing by Robinson, who is the first openly gay man elected as bishop. Because his election by the Diocese of New Hampshire occurred within 120 days of General Convention, the deputies and bishops must vote to give consent at the convention.
The investigation explored a claim that Robinson was involved in a Web site that ultimately linked to an adult-content site. It also looked into an e-mail allegation from a Vermont man claiming inappropriate touching by the bishop-elect. Both allegations surfaced after the House of Deputies approved the election of Robinson on Sunday.
In anticipation of the announcement, the visitors’ galley and press area were packed. Robinson’s election and the subsequent allegations have stirred media attention around the world, with reports on CNN and in many of the major newspapers.
