Brenner, a self-described modest priest, said that as unbelievable as it may sound, rarely does he speak out at events of the larger church. "At the five diocesan convocations I've attended in the Diocese of the Rio Grande, I don't believe I've ever spoken on the floor of convocation. At deanery events and greater gatherings of the clergy, I'm not known as one for giving voice."

But then he launched into a blistering attack on the upcoming consecration of the newly elected bishop of Rio Grande Jeffrey Steenson, saying that the appearance of the Presiding Bishop would, over time encumber the diocese spiritually.

"Jeffrey, I stand in objection to your consecration as the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of the Rio Grande. I object because you have willingly conceded to the laying on of hands and consecration by our Presiding Bishop and other bishops of the church that have avowedly supported the actions of the Diocese of New Hampshire and who are leading our church in a spiritually perilous manner."

"To receive the ‘laying on of hands,' Jeffrey, I believe will compromise not only your conscience but the effectiveness of your ministry and the ongoing work of spiritual renewal in this diocese. While there's yet time, Jeffrey, stand to be the defender of historic faith and symbolize it by receiving the spiritual ‘mantle' from Bishop Terence, and two like him, who have fought valiantly, and without compromise in this time of the church.

Brenner then lit into Griswold.

"Bishop Griswold, I count you as a friend, and I was privileged to serve you as one of your priests for your entire episcopacy in the Diocese of Chicago. I was honored to be one of your sacramental ministers at your consecration as Presiding Bishop. I've seen how God has worked in your life and ministry. I humbly ask you to excuse yourself from the laying on of hands proceedings -- unless God is leading you to lead our greater church into a time of pronounced repentance for the actions in New Hampshire -- then lay both hands (even feet!) on Jeffrey! Bishop Griswold, you are a humble man with a great pastoral heart. I ask that your pastoral heart be evident here.

"Allow Jeffrey to receive Terence's mantle from Bishop Terence [Kelshaw] and two like him who themselves have worked to preserve the unity and witness of the church in these difficult days.

Steenson initially faced opposition in his run for bishop from the Via Media revisionist priests but later got support from Via Media in the election and it was their votes that insured his election. His emphasis on healing and reconciliation got their attention and he was a known quantity as well as electable. Another priest in his diocese said he wants to be a uniter rather than a divider. Steenson believes he can build bridges of reconciliation within the Diocese of the Rio Grande, which became divided in 2003 after the national church's confirmation of an openly gay bishop.

Steenson has told his flock of 14,400 members that he won't pull the diocese out of the Episcopal Church despite the consecration of an avowed homoerotic bishop to the episcopacy.

But Steenson, a former Anglo-Catholic, told a VirtueOnline source that he is still implacably opposed to the ordination of women, and if called on to perform that task will defer it to his predecessor the Rt. Rev. Terence Kelshaw. The bishop-elect easily obtained consents from the ECUSA House of Bishops.

The bishop-elect came to Albuquerque in 2000 where he has been canon to the ordinary, serving Bishop Terrence Kelshaw in the Albuquerque-based diocesan headquarters. He has not committed himself to joining the Anglican Communion Network.

END

NOTE: The Consecration can be watched and heard on January 15 at the following site is:

http://easylink.playstream.com/winlive/certnowlive.wvx