ST. LOUIS — Delegates who gathered this weekend downtown for an annual convocation at Christ Church Cathedral overwhelmingly elected a gay, immigrant, married black man with two children to be the next leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri.

Appearing by video with his husband shortly after the results were announced, the Rev. Deon K. Johnson was momentarily speechless from the applause. While Christian denominations have struggled on the issue of homosexuality for years, many Episcopalian churches are among those that believe the traditional definition of marriage needs to expand.

“Thank you so very much for this awesome responsibility,” said Johnson, of Brighton, Michigan, after he regained his composure. “We are so looking forward to continuing this adventure that God has called us to with you and the amazing people that make up the diocese.” Read more via St Louis Dispatch