Father Harnish says what's happened between the church and the diocese is like a death. But with it, he said, comes new life. He expressed sadness that things have gotten to this point, but remains committed to his faith and to his church.

"At All Saints Anglican Church now," Harnish said, noting, "We've officially changed our name. We are continuing to proclaim the gospel and trying to apply the Bible to our lives. Why would someone want to stop that within a church?"

This has been a prayerful process of discernment. Frankly I resisted it at first, but have finally shared in it with a sense of obedience to my ordination vows. I love serving Christ with you in the Diocese of Alabama and am grateful for God's many blessings during these nearly ten years together. Unless I am called to this new role in the church's life, I am eager to continue as your bishop and servant in Christ.

Schori is the first woman nominated to be the church's presiding bishop.

The only nominee to vote against Robinson was Bishop Henry N. Parsley Jr. of Birmingham, Ala.

The new presiding bishop, who succeeds the retiring Frank Griswold, will be elected June 19 during the church's General Convention for a term extending to 2015.

Robinson's consecration later that year provoked ongoing protest from the denomination's conservative wing and among Anglicans internationally.

The bishop elected will succeed the 25th Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold III, whose nine-year term concludes later this year.

The 26th Presiding Bishop will be installed November 4, 2006, at Washington National Cathedral.