"Robinson's assistant at the Diocese of New Hampshire, the Rev. Tim Rich, said Tuesday that a growing awareness of his problem, rather than a crisis, led to Robinson's decision.

"In his letter, Robinson, 58, says he has been dealing with alcoholism for years and had considered it 'as a failure of will or discipline on my part, rather than a disease over which my particular body simply has no control, except to stop drinking altogether.'

"Rich said the news surprised him and many others.

"'We did not see it in any way impact his ministry in the diocese,' Rich said."

This AP story did not report any diocesan statement concerning how long Robinson has been dealing with alcoholism; when it "began to increase" - and how much.

Nor is there any explanation of whether there was increased alcohol dependence when Robinson left his wife to begin a homosexual relationship.

Alcoholism is indeed a disease - but since when has it ever ceased being "a failure of will or discipline"?

The AP also reported:

"The Rev. David Jones, rector of Robinson's home church, St. Paul's in Concord, said he also was surprised and had not seen any signs, even in retrospect, that Robinson had a problem with alcohol.

"Robinson was elected bishop of New Hampshire in 2003 and confirmed by the national church, causing an upheaval not only in the Episcopal Church, but the worldwide Anglican Communion of which it is part.

"At New York's gay pride parade last spring, marchers and spectators crowded around him for more than three hours, reaching out to touch his hand, crying and thanking him."

While prayer for any alcoholic is commendable, why did the Standing Committee of the Diocese of New Hampshire announce that Bishop Vicky Gene Robinson's (finally) seeking treatment is "a courageous example to us all"?

This man has been ordained since December 1973, and has undoubtedly dealt with alcoholism in other people.

There is no explanation from the diocese as to why this bishop did not seek treatment years ago, rather than traveling around the world promoting his new lifestyle and causing one of the worst crises in the history of the U.S. Episcopal Church, and more than 70 millions Anglicans worldwide.

Les Kinsolving hosts a daily talk show for WCBM in Baltimore. His radio commentaries are syndicated nationally. He is White House correspondent for WorldNetDaily. His show can be heard on the Internet 8-10 p.m. Eastern each weekday. Before going into broadcasting, Kinsolving was a newspaper reporter and columnist - twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for his commentary.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48882

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