Just released:
the report of the Anglican Church's commission appointed by the
archbishop of Canterbury to try to make peace in the worldwide
communion (which includes U.S. Episcopalians) after the New
Hampshire diocese elected a gay man to be its bishop and the
Canadian church starting blessing same-sex unions. From the BBC's
account:
The report called for a moratorium on the consecration of gay candidates. It demanded an explanation from the Anglican Church in the U.S., known as Episcopalian, about "how a person living in a same gender union may be considered eligible to lead the flock of Christ". ...
The report also urged the 50 bishops who attended the ordination of Gene Robinson last November as Bishop of New Hampshire to apologize for their actions, but adds that they should not be expelled.
The BBC also relates that "Conservatives, particularly in the African sections of the church, were outraged over the ordination and several broke ties with the U.S. [church]. Many are still demanding the suspension of the U.S. church." It appears that multiculturalism may mean bowing to African homophobia.
It should be noted that
in his response Frank Griswold, presiding bishop and primate of
the Episcopal Church, USA, appears to be standing firm. He
writes:
I am obliged to affirm the presence and positive contribution of gay and lesbian persons to every aspect of the life of our church and in all orders of ministry. Other Provinces are also blessed by the lives and ministry of homosexual persons. I regret that there are places within our Communion where it is unsafe for them to speak out of the truth of who they are.
Which doesn't quite sound like the apology the homophobes are
demanding. Then again, perhaps schism is preferable to "communion"
with righteous bigotry.