Episcopal Factions Meet Over Gay Divide

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/09/091106anglican.htm

Six Episcopal bishops began arriving in New York City on Monday for an historic meeting that could determine the future of the denomination and its place in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

The senior clergy represent Church moderates who supported the elevation of Gene Robinson, an openly gay man in a committed relationship, to Bishop of New Hampshire and conservatives opposed to gays in the clergy.

The differences between the two sides has created a deep rift within the Episcopal Church and opened a chasm of differences around the world.

The meeting, set to begin Tuesday, was orchestrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, the spiritual leader of the worldwide denomination.

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. While I haven't been an active Episcopalian in a while

I have already notified my dean and sent letters to my bishop and the new Presiding Bishop that if the US Episcopal Church sides with Canterbury on the matter of inclusion, I will be forced to withdraw my membership. I can not and will not be a part of any organization that endorses bigotry and exclusion.

[Rowdyboy]

2. Well, I'm still active (meaning I've been at least twice this year) and I

really don't see it happening. My rural southern church shows no sign of interest in bolting, nor do any in Mississippi that I'm aware of (and how do you get more conservative than Mississippi).

I see our American church in a looser communion with the international Anglican communion. One of the African bishops is currently pushing legislation in his country to make private homosexual behavior punishable by imprisonment and also outlaw media references to the subject in any way in the country. And they are the assholes we're supposed to be trying to appease? Give me a break.

I'm with you though. In the unlikely event the American church caves to the bigots my ass is out of there in a New York second.