Gay priest among 6 candidates for bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Newark, New Jersey
The Associated Press
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2006

NEWARK, New Jersey The Episcopal Diocese of Newark was voting for a new bishop Saturday, with an openly gay priest among the six candidates.

The election in the historically liberal diocese comes at a time when divisions over the Bible and sexuality are threatening the denomination and the worldwide Anglican family.

A win by Canon Michael Barlowe, 51, would put the diocese at the center of a crisis over whether Anglicans who disagree about ordaining gays can stay in the same fellowship.

The election will determine the replacement for Bishop John Palmer Croneberger, who is resigning to spend more time with his ill wife, said the Rev. Sandye Wilson, a spokeswoman for the diocese. The winner will become the diocese's 10th bishop. the rest