Church leaders to read letter criticizing approval of gay bishop Associated Press MILWAUKEE (AP) - Leaders of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee have been asked to read a letter at masses this weekend explaining the national church's approval of its first openly gay bishop. The letter is from Milwaukee Bishop-elect Steven Miller; the Rev. Maurine Lewis, president of the diocesan Standing Committee; and the two co-chairs of Milwaukee's convention deputation, the Rev. Gary Lambert and Carlynn Higbie. The church confirmed the election of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire and recognized the blessing of same-sex unions at the convention this week in Minneapolis. They did not, however, create an official liturgy for the ceremonies. The Milwaukee diocesan leaders acknowledged in the letter that their actions may send a mixed message. "And yet it is consistent with the way we function as Anglicans," the letter stated. "In consenting to the ordination and consecration of Canon Robinson, (the) convention affirmed the essential Anglican principle that the people of a diocese may choose their leaders. "Consenting to that choice is faithful to our baptismal promise that calls us to respect the dignity of every human being. It is also consistent with the way we as Episcopalians live into new realities, not only through our heads, but also with our hearts, our hands, and our eyes." Miller has not decided whether he would authorize priests in his diocese to conduct same-sex blessings after he is consecrated in October, a diocesan spokeswoman said Friday. The convention left it up to local bishops to determine whether to allow the blessing ceremonies. Retired Milwaukee Bishop Roger White said the convention would disrupt the global Anglican Communion and severely harm relations with other churches. White said he believed at least 50 percent of the Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is the U.S. member, would cut off relations with the Episcopal Church and declare it out of communion. White also said theology took a back seat at the convention. The House of Bishops has not adopted a theological paper on sexuality drafted by the Committee on Theology, and the convention ignored the paper by taking action on two specific cases, he said. "My personal feeling, as far as the polity of the church is concerned, is that is doing things the wrong way around," White said. "I feel that is a very dangerous way to live, and it's certainly not the way that we're supposed to do it." A majority of the eight lay and ordained deputies from the Milwaukee diocese voted to approve Robinson's election as bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire, according to the Milwaukee diocese. Two Wisconsin Bishops _ Russell Jacobus, of Fond du Lac, and Keith Whitmore, of Eau Claire _ voted no. Miller did not vote because he has not yet succeeded White, who retired in February. Diocesan sources did not know how Wisconsin delegates and bishops voted on the same-sex blessing issue. Jacobus said he voted against Robinson's installment because it would affect the unity of the church. "I want to make it clear our church welcomes all people to worship. But when I was ordained, one of the vows I took was to guard the faith, the unity, and the discipline of the church," he said. The bishop plans to speak with church members when he returns to Fond du Lac Saturday, he said.