Episcopal bishop treated for alcoholism

Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who weathered a storm of controversy to become the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church two years ago and saw churches splinter because of his election, is being treated for alcoholism, he announced this week.

In a letter to church members written from the unidentified treatment center that he checked himself into, Robinson said that he sought treatment for his ''increasing dependence on alcohol" on Feb. 1, with the encouragement of his daughters, colleagues, and longtime partner.

''Over the 28 days I will be here, I will be dealing with the disease of alcoholism -- which, for years, I have thought of as a failure of will or discipline on my part, rather than a disease over which my particular body simply has no control, except to stop drinking altogether," Robinson wrote in the letter, which was posted Monday on the website of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire.

The governing body that oversees the diocese, known as the Standing Committee of New Hampshire and composed of both clergy and elected church members, has assumed the authority of the bishop in Robinson's absence, said Mike Barwell, spokesman for the diocese.

Robinson told the committee in advance that he planned to seek treatment. ''It was not a sudden thing," Barwell said. The bishop is expected back by early March.

In a message posted below Robinson's letter on the diocesan website, the president of the Standing Committee, Randolph K. Dales, said committee members fully support Robinson and ''commend him for his courageous example."

The disclosure thrust Robinson back into the spotlight, two years after his consecration as bishop caused angry divisions in the 70 million-member Anglican Communion, the international coalition of churches that includes the Episcopal Church USA.

A longtime assistant to the last New Hampshire bishop, Robinson faced heavy pressure from all sides before his election as bishop in June 2003. Critics urged him to step out of contention, to avoid a split in the church, while gay rights advocates appealed to him to persevere.

''I must say the pressure is astounding," he said in an interview in 2003, when he also described feeling peaceful about his decision not to bow out.

More rifts followed his election. Several Episcopal dioceses in the United States joined a new coalition opposed to his leadership. In New England, conservative Episcopalians formed a handful of new congregations, to report to church leaders outside the United States who opposed Robinson's election.

In 2004, a commission of high-ranking Anglican leaders, charged with studying the effects of Robinson's election, called for a moratorium on the ordination of gay bishops.

''To be honest with you, it a little bit took my breath away," Robinson said in an interview at the time of the moratorium, which he said left him feeling somewhat isolated. He started work as bishop in March 2004.

Bishop Thomas C. Ely of Vermont, a longtime friend and colleague, said Robinson has tried to focus on the daily life of the diocese, home to 12,000 Episcopalians. Despite those efforts, ''he has continued to be a lightning rod for the issues," said Ely. ''His life is not as uncomplicated as mine."

Robinson called Ely from the treatment program and said he was doing well, Ely said.

''It was, 'Tom, I'm in the right place, and I need to do the hard work,' " Ely said. ''He's doing well, and I think this is a good thing for him."

One critic of Robinson said his alcoholism is one more reason he should resign as bishop.

''The background check on this man was zero," said David Virtue, the Pennsylvania-based editor of the conservative Anglican website Virtue Online. ''What other surprises are there? . . . Where do we place limits? How is he going to counsel people about their behavior, when his own behavior is lousy?"

Members of the clergy tend to take longer than average to seek treatment for addiction, and their treatment often takes longer, in part because of the difficulty of facing their own fallibility, said Daniel Kidd. Kidd is chief executive officer of Guest House, a Michigan-based treatment facility for Catholic clergy that has treated 6,600 priests for alcoholism and drug problems in the past 50 years.

The benefit, Kidd said, is that many clergy members gain humility in treatment, adding compassion to their ministry. Some even refer later to the ''gift of alcoholism," he said.

In his letter from the treatment center, Robinson refers to the lasting value of the experience. ''During my first week here, I have learned so much," he wrote. ''The extraordinary experience of community here will inform my ministry for years to come."

Most clergy members choose to be open about their treatment and find that church members are accepting, Kidd said.

Yesterday the diocese received a ''flood" of supportive e-mails, said Barwell. spokesman for the diocese. ''They're praising his courage."