Conservative Anglicans Move Closer To Schism Over Gays

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: October 31, 2005 1:00 pm ET

(Alexandria, Egypt) Anglican primates from throughout the developing world ended a six-day conference in Alexandria Egypt on Monday by issuing a strongly worded threat to the Episcopal Church in the United States and the Anglican Church of Canada.

In a closing statement the bishops, who represent about half of the world's 77-million Anglicans, accused the churches in the US and Canada of tearing the denomination apart and said that liberals in the West have introduced unacceptable "innovations" into biblical teaching - a direct reference to the election of a gay bishop in New Hampshire and same-sex blessing services in British Columbia.

The statement said that church traditionalists have seen no sign that the North American churches were about to "repent" for their actions. The statement demanded that they change their ways urgently.

"We recognize with regret the growing evidence that the provinces, which have taken action creating the current crisis in the (Anglican) communion, continue moving in a direction that will result in their walking apart," the group said in a communique issued on Monday after a six-day meeting in Egypt.

Although the document made no specific mention of a schism the threat was evident church observers say.

On the weekend, New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson, the openly gay man at the center of the controversy, was in San Francisco where told LGBT Episcopalians that eventually gays will win the battle within the worldwide church. (story)

"When the dust finally settles, lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual people will be fully included at every level of our church," Robinson said.

Bishop Robinson came to the Bay Area to assist California Bishop William Swing celebrate ten years of ministry by Oasis - the LGBT Ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of California. Bishop Swing presided at the special service in Grace Cathedral.

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