<p>August 6, 2003 -- Defiant Episcopal Church leaders last night scoffed at threats of a schism and elected their first openly gay bishop - just hours after clearing the clergyman of two sex-tainted accusations.</p>
<p>Church bishops voted 62 to 45 to confirm New Hampshire Bishop-elect Gene Robinson, who has been living with his male lover for 13 years. Conservative foes immediately vowed to boycott the rest of the week's convention in Minneapolis - and headed across the street to a Lutheran church to pray.</p>