I am surprised that Archbishop Williams should react the way he is doing. What did he expect, after 'deciding' last summer that the way to avoid a schism int he Anglican Communion it to have it proceed on a double-track - one track for those who are traditional in doctrine adn practices, the other for those who want their Church to give in to all the ultra-liberal lifestyle indulgences of the contemporary world?
Archbishop of Canterbury calls
on Episcopalians in the United States
to block lesbian bishop's appointment
By Steve Doughty
Dec. 7, 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury today called on American Anglicans to block the appointment of a lesbian bishop.
Dr Rowan Williams warned that the selection of a new homosexual bishop could push the divided Anglicans over the edge into full-blown schism.
The Archbishop spoke out after leaders of the Church of England's sister church in Los Angeles chose 55-year-old Reverend Mary Glasspool as an assistant bishop.
He said the choice raised 'serious questions' and warned it was a threat to the 'bonds' that tie 77million Anglicans together.
Canon Glasspool, who lives with her long-term partner Becki Sander, acclaimed her election as a victory for gay rights.
'Any group of people who have been oppressed because of any one, isolated, aspect of their person yearns for justice and equal rights,' she said.
The historic worldwide network of Anglican churches that owe allegiance to Canterbury has been locked in angry dispute for six years since the liberal-dominated US Episcopal Church first appointed a gay bishop.
Following the consecration of the Right Reverend Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire in 2003, Dr Williams and other Anglican leaders asked the Americans to hold back from further controversial appointments in the interest of unity.
The Archbishop said today: 'The election of Mary Glasspool by the Diocese of Los Angeles as suffragan bishop elect raises very serious questions not just for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the Communion as a whole.
Dr. Rowan Williams said that Canon Glasspool's appointment raised 'serious questions'
'The process of selection however is only part complete. The election has to be confirmed, or could be rejected, by diocesan bishops and diocesan standing committees.'
Dr Williams added: 'That decision will have very important implications.
"The bishops of the Communion have collectively acknowledged that a period of gracious restraint in respect of actions which are contrary to the mind of the Communion is necessary if our bonds of mutual affection are to hold."
Conservative Anglican in the US and Britain have developed links with traditionalists in Africa and Latin America which could lead to a breakaway Anglican church which rejects homosexual practice and women priests.
While many evangelicals are attracted to the new Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, conservative Anglo-Catholics have been offered incentives to breakaway from Anglicanism and return to the fold of the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Benedict has offered them their own bishops and parishes, and the right to appoint their own married priests while keeping traditional Church of England services.
The Reverend Rod Thomas of the evangelical Reform movement in the Church of England said of the Los Angeles appointment: 'I feel deeply ashamed that this is happening in the Anglican Church. I think a schism is absolutely inevitable.'
Canon Glasspool said: 'I am very excited about the future of the whole Episcopal Church, and I see the Diocese of Los Angeles leading the way into that future.'
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 08/12/2009 02:24]