US Episcopalian bishops voted last night to install the church's first openly gay bishop.
After an 11th-hour delay on Monday prompted by allegations of sexual misconduct against New Hampshire bishop-elect Gene Robinson, church leaders cleared him, and 62 of the 107 bishops voted to approve his election. Forty-five voted against.
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The newly-elected Bishop of New Hampshire, Dr Gene Robinson
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But conservative opponents have threatened to split the global Anglican denomination in protest at his election.
Thanking his supporters and pledging to work toward reconciliation, the Rev Robinson told reporters, "I am proud to be in a church which works to be a safe place for all of God's children".
The allegations that delayed Monday's vote by the bishops - the last of three hurdles to the Rev Robinson's confirmation - focused on a Vermont parishioner's charge that the Rev Robinson had sexually harassed him during a conference a few years ago.
Conservative Anglicans, representing more than one-quarter of the global 77-million-member denomination, issued a statement expressing regret at the Rev Robinson's installation and signed by church leaders from southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America - and followers from England, India and elsewhere.
"We expect that primates of the Communion will be meeting soon to consider what action to take. Dioceses and parishes in the United States who wish to remain loyal to the Anglican Communion will also be considering their position in the coming weeks," the statement from a group called the Anglican Mainstream said.