US Episcopal Church Refuses Anglican Compromise on Gay Debate

Bishops from the US Episcopal Church have refused to bow to demands from the worldwide Anglican Communion to create a parallel arm of the Church for those who oppose the Episcopal Church's backing of homosexuality.

It is likely that the decision will further widen the divide between the American section of the communion and other worldwide Anglicans.

The House of Bishops of the US Church have requested to meet with the spiritual head of the worldwide Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, to discuss the matter further.

At a key meeting in February, Anglican leaders threatened to expel the US Church unless it agreed to the appointment of a separate leader for the traditionalists who oppose homosexuality within the Church, which is known to include at least seven diocese.

However, the Episcopal Church in the US, which brought the worldwide Anglican Communion to the brink of schism in 2003 when it ordained the first openly gay bishop, has now rejected the latest proposals to find a compromise.

Responding to the recent Anglican Primates' Communiqué, the US Episcopal Church's House of Bishops, has expressed "an urgent need for us to meet face to face with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the members of the Primates' Standing Committee".

The request came as the second of three "mind of the house" resolutions was adopted by the bishops on March 20. The resolutions were debated during the business session scheduled during the House of Bishops' annual spring retreat meeting in Navasota, Texas.

The Episcopal Church in the US is the American arm of the 77-million member Anglican Communion.