These are questions the denomination itself has been struggling with since the controversial election of Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop.

Griswold told the girls that when the matter is viewed in a historical context, they would realize that biblical writers did not have access to information that helps people today make different judgments. These wouldn't be the only tough questions fired in Griswold's direction during the 45-minute class. The students had given their teacher, Pam Kennedy, a list of others, which she organized into categories, social and theological issues.

After Griswold addressed those, sitting ramrod straight in his chair, he was peppered with others. Cassie Hurlbut asked about the future in the church of gay marriages. Michelle Owen asked him about taking a literal interpretation of the Bible. Yet another girl asked about the church's stance on Iraq. The girls listened intently as he addressed other issues, including abortion, the use of the term "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, and whether truth can be found in other religions. But perhaps Griswold was most at ease, and the class most enthralled, when Caressa Matsuoka posed this one:

"How did you know you wanted to be an Episcopalian?"

It gave him a chance to lean back and tell of his days in an all-boys Episcopal boarding school.

His beginning drew a giggles:

"When I was several months old, without any say in the matter, I was baptized ...," he began.

Griswold went on to describe his friends laughing when a priest suggested that he might make a good clergyman. But somewhere, the seed was planted.

"I was born into it, but I had to make conscious choices along the way," he ended.

For a parochial school in which less than 5 percent of the 504-student enrollment is Episcopalian, it's a timely question, too. The church in Hawai'i has been struggling with falling membership, a trend that many see hopeful signs of reversing. Last year, for example, 12 girls and a faculty member were baptized in the Episcopal Church, said Susan Champion, the school chaplain.

The class question-and-answer session came after a full morning of events, beginning with a schoolwide chapel service, in which Griswold exhorted the girls to be like Queen Emma. He also blessed the historic coral cross in the central courtyard, then met with the lower-school students for a blessing.

Throughout his visit, he reminded the girls that his wife, Phoebe, went to an all-girls school. He emphasized the importance of women's education.

During one blessing, Griswold reminded the girls of their duty to God and community:

"May these future leaders in Hawai'i and beyond grow up as symbols of love and encouragement to all around them."

END