NEW ORLEANS, United States (AFP) — Leaders of the US Episcopal Church met Tuesday to hammer out a response to opponents of the ordination of openly gay clergy and the blessings of same-sex unions in more liberal diocese.
In the final hours of the six-day House of Bishops meeting in New Orleans, the leaders of the 2.3 million US Episcopalians promised to clarify their stance on the role of gays in the church, which has divided congregations and threatened a split within the 77 million-member worldwide Anglican Communion.
Conservative bishops, particularly in Africa and Latin America, have asked that the US church, which sparked a furor when it ordained openly gay priest Gene Robinson as a bishop in 2003, reverse its policy on homosexuality or face a possible breach in the Anglican union.
Meeting in Tanzania earlier this year, Anglican officials asked for a response by the end of September.
On Monday, Bishop Neil Alexander of Atlanta said church officials intended to issue a statement that they hoped would settle the matter.
"We really do intend to come out of this meeting with a statement that will speak clearly to the communion and clearly to the membership of the Episcopal Church," Alexander said.
"I believe the statement will shaped in such a way that it will be well received by the leaders of the Anglican Communion, and it will also be well received by the majority of members of the Episcopal Church."
It will be difficult balancing act. One Episcopal bishop, Jeffrey Steenson of the Rio Grande diocese, based in Albuquerque, announced during the conference his resignation and switch to the Catholic faith.
If the bishops refuse to back down from the current open policy towards homosexuality, others may follow suit.
Bishops on Monday sought to downplay talk of an impending split within the Anglican union, but reaffirmed their support of gay church members.
"Are we going to withdraw our support of gay and lesbian people in the church? No," said Jon Bruno, a bishop from Los Angeles.
"They're fully enfranchised members of our body. Are we going to do anything that will exacerbate this situation? No, I don't think we will."
The bishops were scheduled to reconvene Tuesday afternoon for a close-of-business meeting followed by the release of the statement.
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