Same-sex moratorium urged on Episcopals

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — Delegates in the East Carolina Diocese urged the national Episcopal Church to enact moratoriums on same-sex blessing ceremonies and the consecration of actively gay bishops, as recommended in a report that world Anglican Communion leaders will be discussing in Northern Ireland later this month.

That report was responding to the 2003 consecration of New Hampshire's openly gay bishop V. Gene Robinson along with subsequent divisions over homosexuality in the Episcopal Church and worldwide Anglicanism.

At the diocesan convention, delegates expressed concerns about resulting disunity and funding problems in parishes, Wilmington's Star-News reported.

In Alabama, meanwhile, Bishop Henry Parsley has drawn dissent from conservative clergy and lay members over the issue.

Bishop Parsley voted against Robinson's consecration, but last year directed priests and parishes to shun the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes, which organizes opponents of gay clergy. Two Montgomery congregations joined the network anyway.

The Rev. John-Michael van Dyke said his congregation's step drew strong support from "across the state and throughout the world." Bishop Parsley said the Rev. van Dyke's parish agreed to make network affiliation temporary, The Birmingham News reported.

At the other dissenting congregation, the Rev. Doug McCurry resigned as rector Jan. 23 to start Legacy Church, taking about 160 members with him.