Both sides still unhappy over Episcopal gay controversy

LONDON — Advocates on both sides of the Anglican battle over homosexuality registered their unhappiness Wednesday with the attempt by U.S. bishops to keep their place in the global communion.

Supporters of gay clergy accused American Episcopal bishops of caving in to pressure from conservatives, while traditionalists criticized what they said was a cleverly worded declaration of defiance.

Episcopal bishops affirmed Tuesday they would "exercise restraint" by not consenting to any candidate for bishop "whose manner of life presents a challenge" to the church. In a statement released after an intense six-day meeting in New Orleans, they also pledged not to authorize official prayers to bless same-sex couples.

In Africa, Anglican leaders' mixed responses to the statement suggested work remained to prevent an Anglican schism.

The spokesman of the Anglican Church of Uganda, Aron Mwesigye, said the American bishops "deserve to be appreciated for making such a good decision. I also appeal to the gay bishops to repent and come out to live normal lives."

But Rt. Rev. Stephen Njihia Mwangi, the second-most senior official of the Anglican Church of Kenya, questioned the timing of the statement just days before the Sunday deadline Anglican leaders had set for the Americans to make unequivocal pledges.

"I don't think they are serious about what they mean. I think the timing seems to suggest that this is just a technical thing to ensure that the Lambeth Conference goes ahead," Mwangi told The Associated Press, referring to the once-a-decade meeting that brings together all the bishops in the Anglican world.

Bishop David Beetge, vicar general of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, said he welcomed the decision "for the simple reason it gives us more space and time to talk to each other."

"It is a very generous step and a good step, and I think it shows willingness to dialogue with other parties," he said. "I know there will be some on both sides that will say it is too much or too little, but I am appealing to give it a chance."

While Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams cautiously thanked the bishops "for the care taken to understand and respond to the concerns of the wider communion," Anglicans awaited the verdict of Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola and other conservative critics of the American church.