The Right Reverend V. Gene Robinson, soon to be invested as IX Bishop of New Hampshire, has announced that he has withdrawn from the March 11th debate at the Oxford Union, in Oxford England.

Speaking while on vacation and retreat, Bishop Robinson said, "I have thought and prayed long and hard about this wonderful invitation to speak at the Oxford Union. It has now become clear to me that for me to participate would not be in the best interests of the Anglican Communion at this delicate moment in its history. As St. Paul has said, 'Not everything that is lawful is helpful.' Indeed, in deference to the important work of the Archbishop's newly appointed Commission, I have decided to decline all public speaking engagements in provinces outside of ECUSA until the Commission has made its report. At that time, I will gladly join the international conversations about the full inclusion of gay and lesbian Christians as children of God and full members of the Church."

(Bishop Robinson and the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire will have no further statements or comments.)