Rev. Richard C. Rowe said only time will tell if this week's decision to accept Rev. V. Gene Robinson as the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop will result in a rift among churchgoers.

Rev. Rowe, rector of Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Hermitage, responded to questions about the House of Bishops' 62-45 vote Tuesday in favor of Rev. Robinson.

The American Anglican Council released a statement shortly after the vote rejecting the action, saying "The (church) has shattered the Anglican family."

It also read, "With the approval of Canon Gene Robinson's election by the Episcopal House of Bishops, the Episcopal Church has departed from the historic Christian faith..."

The statement went on to say that the AAC is "committed to remaining part of the Anglican Communion and (will) find a way for mainstream Anglicans in the Episcopal Church to stay in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury."