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Conservatives oppose gay woman bishop

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Confirming a gay woman as an assistant bishop in Los Angeles could rupture the worldwide Anglican Communion, conservatives warned.

A schism is "inevitable" if the Episcopal Church in the United States confirms Saturday's election of the Rev. Mary Glasspool, as suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles, said the Rev. Rod Thomas of Reform, a conservative evangelical group. The Episcopal Church is the U.S. arm of the Anglican Communion.

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The head of the communion, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said Glasspool's election raised "very serious questions" about the future of the 77-million member communion, The Times of London reported Monday.

Glasspool, 55, has lived with her partner, Becki Sander, since 1988. She is the second openly gay priest to be elected bishop in the Episcopal Church. The election of Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003 threatened a schism within the communion, The Daily Mail reported Monday.

Urging the church to confirm her, Glasspool predicted a bright future for the Episcopal Church, The Mail reported.

"I see the Diocese of Los Angeles leading the way into that future," Glasspool said.

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