Episcopal Leaders to Decide "Regret" for Homosexual Bishop Ordination

The debate on the homosexual clergy issue in the Anglican Church has cooled down during the recent months of reflection on the Windsor Report since October 2004. However, the debate is expected to come back as the American Episcopal Church is soon due to decide whether to apologise for the ordination of homosexual bishops as requested by the Windsor Report.

The US Episcopal House of Bishops, which represents 2.3 million American members, is meeting on Wednesday and Thursday in Utah, Salt Lake City to discuss two controversial issues: the ordination of homosexual bishops and the marriage rites of same-sex couples.

In 2003, the split within the Anglican Communion worldwide started when the openly gay clergy Gene Robinson was consecrated as the Bishop of New Hampshire and the Westminster diocese in Canada permitted same-sex blessings. Both movements without the consent of other Anglican Churches around the globe have caused dismay among many conservative Anglicans.

The Lambeth Commission was called by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams to produce a report to deal with the controversy in the Church. The Windsor Report released on 18th October 2004 in London recommends American and Canadian Anglican bishops who authorised the blessings of same-sex unions and consecration of homosexual bishops "express regret" that they harmed the worldwide body.

The coming meeting of American Episcopal leaders will decide whether they will endorse the recommendations made.

Pittsburgh Episcopal diocese Bishop Robert Duncan, who is to attend the gathering, has been leading the charge against progressive movements within the church that he and other conservatives consider to be contrary to scripture.

Bishop John W. Howe, of the Central Florida Diocese, which is a member of Duncan's conservative network, called for a decisive and affirmative response to the report, including asking those who participated in the consecration of Robinson "to refrain from representing the Anglican Community in international and ecumenical gatherings."

However, the gay bishop Gene Robinson said he feels he was not personally responsible for the rift and is not sorry he was elected.

Nevertheless, many conservatives in the Anglican Communion expect an apology should be forthcoming. They have also criticised the Lambeth Commission for not using proper languages to rebuke those who are promoting sexual sins as holy and acceptable behaviour in the Windsor Report. Archbishop Peter Akinola, Primate of All Nigeria even described the report as "patronising".

Sources say that after the Utah meeting Episcopalian leaders will go to Dublin, Ireland, next month where they will explain their same-sex theology and practice.

In February, primates will meet at the General Synod. The Windsor Report will be brought forward for discussion to identify further actions. The crisis over homosexuality will also be debated by bishops, clergy and laity.