The ordination to the diaconate of a non-celibate lesbian, Barbara Clarke, 54, by the Suffragan Bishop of Washington, the Rt. Rev. Jane Dixon, is the latest turn in a series of controversial ordinations of gay clergy.

Bishop Dixon acted as the ecclesiastical authority in a ceremony in Washington National Cathedral June 17, while the diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. Ronald Haines, is on sabbatical. In reply to written questions, she said she had followed a House of Bishops' agreement by notifying the 15 bishops of Province 3.

"Not so," countered the Rt. Rev. John Howe, Bishop of Central Florida, one of 10 bishops who have filed a presentment against the Rt. Rev. Walter Righter, retired Bishop of Iowa, for ordination of an avowed homosexual while assisting in the Diocese of Newark in 1990. "What the bishops agreed in March was only that when something was likely to be controversial we would consult, pray and share counsel," Bishop Howe said.

Bishop Dixon read a statement declaring "It is clear that there is broad and firm support in the diocese for what we have come together to do here this morning."

In response, three persons arose to declare the ordination to be "contrary to doctrine and teaching." One of them, David Bickle of All Saints' Church in the Chevy Chase area of Washington, said "history may record this day as the beginning of the end of our national Episcopal Church." He was escorted to a microphone by an usher and afterwards joined others in walking out of the cathedral as the ceremony continued. Another woman and a man were also ordained.

Deacon Clarke was presented by her life partner, representing the laity, and the rector of her sponsoring parish, the Rev. Duane Alvord of St. John's, Norwood. She said she had been in a committed relationship for 10 years and lives in Kensington, Md. She is a native of Ellsworth, Maine, holds a doctorate from Tulane University, and is a research biologist and associate professor at American University.

The ceremony recalled Bishop Haines' narrowly escaping censure for his ordination of another avowed lesbian, the Rev. Elizabeth Carl, almost four years ago to the day. Neither of the women holds parish positions at present. Deacon Clarke expects to be ordained priest in December.

(The Rev.) JAMES B. SIMPSON