The Episcopal Church has approved the election of its second openly gay bishop. The Diocese of Los Angeles granted that approval on Wednesday.

The church says Rev. Mary Glasspool will be consecrated May 15.

However, some Episcopal conservatives say the move is "grieving the heart of God."

"I am ... aware that not everyone rejoices in this election and consent, and will work, pray and continue to extend my own hands and heart to bridge those gaps, and strengthen the bonds of affection among all people, in the name of Jesus Christ," Glasspool said in a released statement.

In an essay on the Los Angeles diocese Web site, Glasspool said that she had an "intense struggle" while in college with her sexuality and the call to become a priest.

One conservative Episcopalian expressed criticism of the church's approval of Glasspool as a bishop.

In approving Glasspool, the Episcopal Church has "sought to embrace a way of life which the church through the Bible has always understood to be forbidden," said the Rev. Kendall Harmon of the traditional Diocese of South Carolina, which has voted to distance itself from the national church.