US bishop 'regret' over gay split

Gene Robinson became the ninth Bishop of New Hampshire

The head of the US Episcopal Church has expressed "regret" that the appointment of a gay bishop has threatened to split the worldwide Anglican church.

But Bishop Frank Griswold stopped short of the apology called for in the Windsor Report on the issue.

The report called on bishops involved in the ordination of openly gay clergyman Gene Robinson, to the New Hampshire Diocese, to apologise.

It also called for a moratorium on the consecration of gay candidates.

Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, Frank Griswold said: "We regret how difficult and painful actions of our church have been in many provinces of our communion".

The report seemed to propose "containment of differences in the service of reconciliation", he said.

There has been talk of crisis, schism and realignment - voices and declarations have portrayed a communion in crisis Robin Eames Factfile: Anglicans worldwide An almighty problem

"However, unless we go beyond containment and move to some deeper place of acknowledging and making room for the differences that will doubtless continue to be present in our communion, we will do disservice to our mission."

The report demanded an explanation from the Anglican Church in the US, known as Episcopalian, about "how a person living in a same gender union may be considered eligible to lead the flock of Christ".

Scripture must be used to back up the explanation, the report produced by the Lambeth Commission added.

Many conservative clergy believe the Bible explicitly condemns homosexuality, and African church leaders have also argued it is a strong cultural taboo in many areas on the continent.

However, the report urged all members of the church to work together, while acknowledging that serious divisions exist.

'Anglican family'

The report urged the 50 bishops who attended the ordination of Gene Robinson last November as Bishop of New Hampshire to apologise for their actions, but added that they should not be expelled.

Until there was an apology, those who took part should consider whether to withdraw themselves from functions of the Anglican Communion, the commission said.

Lambeth Commission chairman, Irish Anglican leader Robin Eames, told BBC World Service's Newshour: "There could have been much more consultation before they took a step that was obviously contrary to the views of a great many Anglicans."

He added: "In a world Anglican family there are no rules, no constitution, to control our relationship with each other.

"While autonomy is important, we have to be realistic that there are certain limitations to it... when it affects the beliefs, the practice, the confidence of others."

ANGLICAN CHURCH FACTS 70 million baptised members worldwide 38 self-governing Churches 500 dioceses, 30,000 parishes, 64,000 congregations in 164 countries 26 million members in the United Kingdom 17.5 million members in Nigeria 2.5 million members in the US Windsor Report in full (517K) Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the reader here

Conservatives, particularly in the African sections of the church, were outraged over the ordination and several broke ties with the US. Many are still demanding the suspension of the US church.

Dr Eames said the ordination of Canon Robinson and the blessing of same-sex unions in Canada had uncovered "major divisions throughout the Anglican Communion".

"There has been talk of crisis, schism and realignment. Voices and declarations have portrayed a communion in crisis."

But he told Newshour: "I am confident that we will find our way through this difficulty.

"It will take immense patience, immense courage, but I do believe that there are the seeds already today for a way forward."

'Sign of hope'

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said the fact that the commission had been unanimous in its findings "counts as a considerable achievement and a sign of hope".

He added: "There is plenty to digest and there should be no rush to judgement.

HAVE YOUR SAY The Church must move with the times Alex K, London. UK Send us your comments Gay bishop report 'toothless'

"We want voices round the communion to be heard and we will be putting in place a careful and wide-ranging process for gathering responses."

Reverend Martin Reynolds, of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, praised the report's "conciliatory " tone.

"This is a document we can work with, this is a church we want to continue to be a part of."

But the Church Society branded the report "toothless" for lacking clear direction over the issue of homosexuality.

"Everyone stressed how important the communion was but not what you do when people undermine that," said the society's Reverend David Phillips.

"I am pretty disappointed with this. I was expecting something much more definite and clear."