Maine Episcopalians elect openly gay bishop

BANGOR, Maine (AP) | Clergy and church members have elected the first openly gay Episcopal bishop in Maine.

The Portland Press Herald reports that the Rev. Thomas James Brown was elected Feb. 9 by a majority of the 261 clergy members and laypeople at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

Brown has served as rector at the Parish of the Epiphany in Winchester, Massachusetts, since 2009. Before that, he served at a church in Brattleboro, Vermont.

The Michigan native says his views align with Maine congregants who want to articulate their faith in Jesus “while still remaining open to people of other faith and no faith.”

Brown, who expects to be consecrated in June, will be the third openly gay Episcopal bishop elected in the U.S. pending confirmation by other Episcopal dioceses.

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