November 25, 2005
STOCKHOLM, Sweden --The first openly gay Episcopal bishop said Thursday that unity in the Anglican Communion was being challenged by those who oppose the ordainment of gays and lesbians.
The Right Rev. V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire was referring to a letter signed last week by Conservative leaders within the Anglican Communion urging the archbishop of Canterbury to crack down on U.S. and Canadian churches that affirm gay relationships.
"The issue of unity is really being raised by those who are saying we can't stay in a church with a province that would raise up gay and lesbian people" to be ordained, Robinson said during a visit to Sweden.
"I think the archbishop of Canterbury is in a very difficult role right now," he said. "And he is rightfully paying attention to the issue of unity within the Anglican Communion, and certainly that unity is being challenged."
Archbishop Rowan Williams is known to be sympathetic to gay clergy, and he has admitted knowingly ordaining a gay man during his time as archbishop of Wales. As leader of the Anglican Communion, however, Williams has said he is obliged to affirm the communion's official position that homosexual acts are contrary to Biblical teaching.
The Episcopal Church is the U.S. province of the 77-million-member Anglican Communion, of which the Church of England is the senior branch.
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