In October 1967, the main business before Convention was the election of a Bishop coadjutor. Sixteen names were presented and the mood was one of rancor. The choice was finally narrowed to one high and one low candidate, but after numerous ballots the convention appeared deadlocked. Then a compromise candidate was nominated from the floor — the Very Rev. Harold Barrett Robinson, Dean of the Cathedral. Robinson had never aspired to be bishop, but bowed to pressure from the floor in order resolve the deadlock.

Robinson’s consecration on February 24, 1968, drew national attention because it took place in a Roman Catholic Cathedral. The Catholic diocese had graciously offered St. Joseph’s so that more people could be accommodated at the service. Not to be out done, the Jewish community offered reception space at Temple Beth Zion. These two unprecedented circumstances, foretold of the unique period of social and economic change during which Robinson would shepherd the Diocese of WNY.

Upon Scaife’s retirement in June of 1970, Robinson became WNY’s eighth bishop.

The exodus from city to suburbs that had begun after WWII continued. City parishes, once the strongest in the Diocese, found themselves struggling. Young people began leaving the area to seek opportunities elsewhere. The Civil Rights Movement had gained momentum, but many in the Diocese felt things were just fine the way they were. They took issue with their Bishop and his support of minority rights. Robinson said simply that the Episcopal church would never be a partner of racism.

Prior to WWII, the role of women in the Church was extremely limited. They could not serve on vestries, be lay readers, or as girls, serve as acolytes. The ordination of a woman was unthinkable. During the 1970s and 80s, however, women made great gains in equal rights in society and the workplace. It was only natural for them to seek equal rights in the Church. Robinson at first opposed the ordination of women. But eventually he changed his mind. At the Cathedral on June 4, 1977, he ordained the Revs. Judith Burrows, Sarah Reith and Patricia Bird.

The ordination of homosexuals also became an issue, and it was one to which Robinson remained opposed throughout his episcopacy. New social mores changed the nature of American society, and Robinson decried the loss of authority and respect that government, schools, churches and social institutions suffered as a result.

Another event that rocked the bastions of the Church during this time was the 1979 revision of Prayer Book. Traditionalists felt the eloquence of the earlier version had been completely destroyed. By 1988, however, every church in the Diocese had adopted the new book.

During Robinson’s term, there was an unprecedented level of ecumenical spirit throughout the religious community. Pulpit exchanges were common and churches banned together to address the social and economic problems that were affecting them all. Buffalo Area Metropolitan Ministries, Inc. (BAMM), a coalition of religious leaders that included Muslims, was founded to help alleviate critical needs among all people of Western New York. Venture in Mission, Compass House, the Cursillo movement, expansion of the Episcopal Church Home and the initiation of full-time chaplains at Roswell Park and Buffalo General Hospitals also brought Robinson much satisfaction.

Robinson retired in 1987 and was diagnosed with leukemia a few years later. He achieved remission in 1992, but it was short-lived. He died on May 5, 1994. A funeral was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral, and his remains are interred in the columbarium he helped to plan while Dean of the Cathedral.