As the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church wraps up today, local Episcopalians say they believe the most controversial issue of the session will have little impact on local congregations.

The House of Bishops confirmed the election of the denomination's first openly gay bishop on Tuesday, leading some to forecast a split in the church.

"I think it's more of a national debate. I think it will have no effect on the local congregation," said Steve Koch, a lifelong church member and former member of the vestry at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany.

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The Rev. V. Gene Robinson, the Diocese of New Hampshire's choice for its bishop, was approved by a 62 to 45 vote.

Each bishop of a diocese has a vote in whether to elect a bishop, although it is usually more a ceremonial approval of a diocese's choice.

The Rev. D. Bruce MacPherson, Bishop of Western Louisiana representing from Jeanerette west and most of the northern part of the state, cast his vote against Robinson's approval.

"I personally share with you in your concern about the future direction of the Church," MacPherson wrote in a message to the diocese following Robinson's approval.

He also stated he would be meeting with the clergy of the diocese on Aug. 18 and will establish meetings in each of the convocations to discuss the matter.

The Rev. Charles Jenkins, Bishop of Louisiana representing from St. Mary Parish to the east, also voted against the confirmation.

"I think local members of churches will have reactions across the board," said the Rev. Francis Daunt, pastor of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Franklin.

"Some of our parishioners are very upset it happened. Some just say, 'That's New Hampshire, so what?'"

Daunt said he doesn't expect the move to have much of an effect on Louisiana Episcopalians.

"Until the convention is over we won't know the effects," he said. "It will be more of an emotional reaction for us than anything practical."

Koch said in his lifetime with the church he's heard threats of a split at least twice before, with nothing ever coming of it.

"Once was the changing of the prayer book. Yes, we lost some members, but not many," he said. "The other time was the issue of women's ordination. They said it would split the church in half. I'm not saying we didn't lose a couple of members, but I don't think it tore up the church."

Daunt agreed, also remembering the catastrophe predicted at that time.

"People are predicting a fairly strong reaction against this, but I don't know that that's the case," he said.

Personally, Koch said he doesn't have a problem with Robinson's election, not due to any views on homosexuality but because it should be up to the people of New Hampshire.

Koch has been a delegate from the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, casting his vote in the election of three bishops of the diocese.

"Before you even go up for election they put these people through rigorous background checks. They check finances, careers, speeding tickets," he said.

"Sexuality shouldn't be an issue. It should be character. You could debate that sexuality is part of character, but heterosexual priests can be of bad moral character just as much as gay priests."

He said if homosexuality disqualifies someone from being a bishop it should also disqualify him from being a priest.

"I don't know what's going to happen. I don't think anybody does," he said. "I would feel safe to say, locally, I would be surprised if 90 percent weren't against it. In the diocese, probably 80 percent are against it. In other words, it wouldn't happen here. Whether it causes us any problems, I don't think so. I would hope and pray it doesn't."

Daunt said the move was a decision by the people of New Hampshire, but that as a bishop of the church, Episcopalians "can't just put their head in the sand."

"I was talking to one parishioner who said, 'They did it. I'm not happy. But they're not going to make me leave my church,'" he said.