Source: Burlington Free Press
Burlington, Vt -- The leader of the Episcopal Church of the United States said Friday that church dissidents unhappy with the ordination of an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire should refocus their energy on more pressing world problems.

"Obviously a handful of our church leaders are still upset and would like to see the church never ordain and never baptize a gay or lesbian person," said Bishop

Katharine Jefferts Schori, in Burlington to attend the annual convention of the state's 175-year-old Episcopal diocese.

"We need to refocus on more life-and-death issues like starvation, education, medical care."

The Rev. Eugene Robinson was elected bishop of the New Hampshire diocese in 2004, prompting at least four church dioceses to threaten to break away from the church. On Friday, members of the Pittsburgh Episcopal diocese voted heavily in favor of taking a first step toward splitting from the church. The Fort Worth, Texas, diocese is scheduling a similar vote later this month.

Jefferts Schori, who spoke Friday at a forum at the University of Vermont's Ira Allen Chapel, said she had written a letter warning Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan she would discipline him if he continues to support measures that would lead to Pittsburgh's departure from the church.

"It is an unfortunate thing to have to do, but it is a necessary thing to do," she said.

Jefferts Schori said she is also trying to address schisms in the church over her own election in 2006 as the first woman to head the American Episcopal church. Episcopalians are part of the worldwide Anglican community, much of which opposes the ordination of women.

"There are still noises about that," she said. "We're not through with that conversation yet."

Jefferts Schori said most people can be persuaded to accept new ideas like women bishops when they are able to talk face to face about it, but that communication in today's world rarely involves such opportunities.

Jefferts Schori, 53, was an oceanographer working in Oregon before beginning her studies for the priesthood in the 1990s. After her ordination in 1994, she rose swiftly through the church ranks, becoming the church's bishop for Nevada in 2000.