Episcopalians chastised over gays

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Anglican leaders demanded Monday that the U.S. Episcopal Church unequivocally bar official prayers for gay couples and stop consecrating any more gay bishops to undo the damage North Americans have caused the Anglican family.

In a statement ending a tense six-day meeting, the leaders said that past pledges by the U.S. denomination on gay unions and consecrations have been so ambiguous that they have failed to fully mend "broken relationships" in the 77 million-member global Anglican Communion.

The Episcopal Church, the U.S. wing of Anglicanism, must clarify its position by Sept. 30 or its relations with other Anglicans will remain "damaged at best."

"This has consequences for the full participation of the church in the life of the communion," the leaders said.

The meeting in Tanzania was the latest of several summits to try to keep Anglicans unified despite deep divisions over how they should interpret the Bible. The long-simmering debate erupted in 2003 when Episcopalians consecrated the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.

Anglican traditionalists believe gay relationships violate scripture, and they have demanded that the U.S. church adhere to that teaching or face discipline.

Supporters of ordaining gays believe biblical teachings on justice and inclusion should take precedence. They have accused theological conservatives of demanding a conformity of belief among Anglicans that never before existed. The Anglican fellowship was founded in the 16th century by King Henry VIII and spread worldwide by the British Empire.

Discussions at the closed-door gathering this past week were so highly charged that debate over the final statement took hours longer than originally expected. The Anglican leaders, called primates, were said to be working on revisions until the last minute.

In the final document, the leaders said they were confused by resolutions on gay issues passed by the 2006 Episcopal General Convention — the church's top policy-making body. The primates had asked the denomination for a moratorium on electing gay bishops and on developing official prayer services for same-sex couples.

The resolution the General Convention adopted asked church leaders to "exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration" of candidates for bishop "whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church." However, it is not binding.