US Episcopal Church Withdraw From Key Anglican Body

The US Episcopal church has withdrew from the key worldwide Anglican church body on Wednesday, after facing up to the consequences of the consecration of the first openly gay bishop in the history of the Anglican church.

Since 2003, when Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire was consecrated, the whole Church with over 77 millions members has faced many tense situations, and this withdrawal is the latest attempt of bishops to ease this tension.

Ever since the meeting of Anglican leaders in Northern Ireland early this year, the bishops had been under pressure to withdraw from the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC).

Presiding bishop of US Episcopal Church with over 2.3 million members, announced the withdrawal after the meeting of the Executive Council of the US bishops.

In the letter released by the Church he said: "This is a weighty matter for the Episcopal Church since the ACC is the primary instrument of communion in which the fullness of the Body of Christ is represented," and he added, "Representative consultation is an essential component of our life as a church."

However, after the next meeting in Nottingham, UK, the US Episcopal church will withdraw from official participation in the council.

The US bishops are facing criticism for their consecration of Robinson, who is the first bishop who is publicly taking part in a same-sex relationship in the history of Anglican church.

These difficulties have led to the bishops deciding not to appoint any further bishops or bless same-sex unions till at least next year, providing the time for more discussion on the issue. US bishops have been reported as expressing "deep regret over the pain others have experienced" which was caused by Robinson’s consecration.