United Methodist Church Elects First Openly Gay Bishop, In Defiance Of Church Rules

NPR reports:

Representatives of the United Methodist Church have elected their first openly gay bishop, in defiance of church prohibitions on homosexuality.

Rev. Karen Oliveto, senior pastor of Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, was elected bishop of the church's Western Division at a conference Friday night in Scottsdale, Arizona.

"I think at this moment I have a glimpse of the realm of God," 58-year-old Oliveto said after her election, according to a news story from the church. "Today we took a step closer to embody beloved community and while we may be moving there, we are not there yet. We are moving on to perfection."

The United Methodist Church, which has more than 7 million members in the United States, is divided over the issue of homosexuality. "This election raises significant concerns and questions of church polity and unity," Bruce R. Ough, president of the Church's Council of Bishops, said in a statement after the vote.

Divide.