The Reverend Canon V. Gene Robinson became the ninth bishop of New Hampshire yesterday, four months after his controversial installation as the first openly gay bishop in the US Episcopal Church.
Dr Robinson, whose promotion to bishop in November sparked fury among conservative Anglicans in the United States and worldwide and threatened a schism, acknowledged his investiture as head of the church in New Hampshire was a risk.
"We're going to take some big risks here. The rest of the world is watching us. This is going to be a great journey," he said at the service in Concord.
The American Anglican Council condemned the November consecration as "heresy, blasphemy and sin" and vowed to create a new mainstream Anglican church in the United States.
Opponents protested outside the November service, shouting insults and waving placards with homophobic messages.
Although there were no protests at St Paul's Church as Se Robinson was invested to succeed the retiring Right Rev. Douglas Theuner as the diocese bishop, he was protected by at least two bodyguards who stood nearby.
Several hundred people in attendance responded with a resounding "yes" when Theuner asked the congregants if they approved of Dr Robinson becoming Bishop of New Hampshire. The new bishop was given a standing ovation after the investiture.