Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Anglicans Move Closer to Split

'No longer any hope ... for a unified Communion,' says faction disapproving of gays

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 19, 2008 8:45 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Scores of Anglican bishops are boycotting the church's once-a-decade conference next month in favor of a conservative counter-meeting, the New York Times reports. The rival gathering, beginning Sunday in Jerusalem, results from a serious division in the denomination over homosexuality—and could be another step toward an irreparable break in the 77-million-member Anglican church.

Saying they've been "marginalized" by the American and Canadian churches' decision to accept same-sex unions and a gay bishop, the conservatives wrote in a manifesto, “There is no longer any hope, therefore, for a unified Communion." The Jerusalem conference is intended to be a forum for discussing potential next steps and is expected to draw 280 bishops and 750 laypeople.

Representatives from the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh cast their ballots on a resolution that calls for a first step toward leaving the national church on Nov. 2, 2007, in Johnstown, Pa.
Representatives from the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh cast their ballots on a resolution that calls for a first step toward leaving the national church on Nov. 2, 2007, in Johnstown, Pa.   (AP Photo)
In this Friday Sept. 21, 2007 file picture, Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, left, and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, walk into a press conference in New Orleans.
In this Friday Sept. 21, 2007 file picture, Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, left, and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, walk into a press conference in New Orleans.   (AP Photo/Judi Bottoni, FILE)
The Rev. William Leo Murdoch, second left, and The Rev. Canon Dr. Will Gillespie Atwood III. second right, pray with Kenyan bishops, at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi.
The Rev. William Leo Murdoch, second left, and The Rev. Canon Dr. Will Gillespie Atwood III. second right, pray with Kenyan bishops, at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi.   (AP Photo)
Anglican church delegates vote on a resolution at the General Synod 2007 in Winnipeg, Canada. The Anglican Church of Canada agreed that same sex blessings do not conflict with its core doctrine.
Anglican church delegates vote on a resolution at the General Synod 2007 in Winnipeg, Canada. The Anglican Church of Canada agreed that same sex blessings do not conflict with its core doctrine.   (AP Photo)
Rowan Williams, archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican spiritual leader, speaks to reporters in New Orleans on Sept. 21, 2007.
Rowan Williams, archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican spiritual leader, speaks to reporters in New Orleans on Sept. 21, 2007.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

The conservative conference website ...
Global Anglican Future Conference

... and the original conference website
The Lambeth Conference Official Website

 
gay rights • Anglican Church • religion • homosexuality • Anglican church conference

More Newser Stories

Preacher Arrested for Calling Homosexuality a Sin

Former Gay Converters Apologize

Desmond Tutu to Anglicans: Get Over It

Cynthia Nixon: For Me, Being Gay 'Is a Choice'

'Not Gay Enough' Ballplayers Win Settlement
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne