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Church Near Breaking Point over Gay Priests

World Anglicans frown on homosexuals among top US Episcopalians

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 20, 2007 5:43 PM CDT
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(Newser) – US Episcopal bishops are about to sit down to talk with leaders of the greater Anglican communion on the simmering issue of homosexuality within the church, but the fact that a lesbian is under serious consideration as a candidate for bishop of Chicago may be a signal that the Americans are not budging. The church's spiritual head—the Archbishop of Canterbury—has urged its American wing to stop blessing same-sex couples and electing homosexual bishops.

When the Archbishop of Canterbury arrives for the New Orleans tete-a-tete, it will be his first appearance before the American clergy since an openly gay bishop was consecrated in New Hampshire in 2003. 53 US denominations that consider themselves Anglican no longer commune with Canterbury because of the issue; churches in Africa have led conservative opposition.

Gene Robinson, of New Hampshire, the Episcopal church's first openly-gay bishop, speaks in favor of civil unions during a public hearing before the state Senate Judiciary Committee, Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at the Statehouse in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Gene Robinson, of New Hampshire, the Episcopal church's first openly-gay bishop, speaks in favor of civil unions during a public hearing before the state Senate Judiciary Committee, Tuesday, April 10,...   (Associated Press)
Delegates to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 2007 Churchwide Assembly are seen meeting in Chicago, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007, where they are debating on whether to allow non-celibate gays to be ordained. A national assembly of Evangelical Lutherans urged its bishops Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007 to refrain from defrocking...
Delegates to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 2007 Churchwide Assembly are seen meeting in Chicago, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007, where they are debating on whether to allow non-celibate gays to be...   (Associated Press)
As a rupture occurs over differing beliefs in the church, many look to Archbishop Rowan Williams to preserve the communion. Others feel that time has passed.
As a rupture occurs over differing beliefs in the church, many look to Archbishop Rowan Williams to preserve the communion. Others feel that time has passed.   (Getty Images)
The Rev. Canon Dr. Will Gillespie Atwood III. holds the bible at All Saints Cathedral, in Nairobi, Kenya, during the Service of Consecration and Installation, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007. Emerging alliances between American conservatives and overseas clergy have pushed the Anglican Communion to a possible breaking point. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
The Rev. Canon Dr. Will Gillespie Atwood III. holds the bible at All Saints Cathedral, in Nairobi, Kenya, during the Service of Consecration and Installation, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007. Emerging alliances...   (Associated Press)
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US • Lifestyle • World

 
gay marriage • Chicago • New Orleans • lesbians • New Hampshire • archbishop • Anglican • Episcopalian • Archbishop of Canterbury

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