Gay bishop enters into civil union

THE openly gay US Episcopal bishop at the centre of the Anglican church's global battle over homosexuality, has entered into a civil union with his longtime partner at a private ceremony.

About 120 guests gathered at St Paul's Church in New Hampshire for yesterday's ceremony for Bishop Gene Robinson and his partner of more than 19 years, Mark Andrews.

The event was kept private out of respect for next month's worldwide Anglican conference, Bishop Robinson's spokesman, Mike Barwell, said today.

"It was absolutely joyful," Mr Barwell said. "A lot of his supporters and friends were there, including many members of the gay and lesbian community."

The 77 million-member Anglican Communion, a global federation of national churches, has been in upheaval since 2003 when the Episcopal Church consecrated Bishop Robinson as the first known to be in an openly homosexual relationship in more than four centuries of church history.