Despite massive criticism from conservative Anglicans, the Episcopal Church in the USA has taken further steps toward full equality for homosexual men and women. New liturgies of blessing for same-sex partnerships, for example, are to be developed, as the communion, which is part of the worldwide Anglican Church, confirmed on Friday at the conclusion of its General Assembly in Anaheim, California.
Earlier this week, the assembly had opened the way in principle to gay and lesbian clergy to the episcopate. This is seen as another severe test for the Anglicans. Theologically conservative bishops, meanwhile, reiterated their warnings of a split in the more than 70 million-member church communion. Since the appointment of Gene Robinson, a priest living in a same-sex partnership, as Episcopal bishop in New Hampshire in 2003, Anglican bishops had repeatedly urged their U.S. branch to refrain from such moves.The U.S. Anglicans had initially accommodated these demands. Three years ago – at its last General Assembly – the Episcopal Church, which has about two million members, had decided on a moratorium on the consecration of homosexual bishops. This was intended to prevent the split in the Anglican Church, which was already threatening at the time. This moratorium has now been ended.In the Anglican Episcopal Church in the USA, there has already been a schism. Spokesmen of the conservative wing recently founded the "Anglican Church in North America," with about 100.000 members. Also the head of the Anglican world church, the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, had deplored the decisions of the US Episcopal Church now taken.With the resolution now passed in Anaheim, California, the U.S. Anglicans are reacting to the social change in dealing with gays and lesbians. The decision is also supported by the majority of bishops. Reference is made to the official recognition of same-sex partnerships in many countries. According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, however, the opinion of clergy who reject such blessings is to be respected in the church.Conservative Christians view homosexuality as "sin" and "unbiblical". Liberal theologians, on the other hand, advocate reinterpreting biblical statements in light of findings in modern social sciences. In European churches, too, the ie of same-sex marriage continues to cause controversy.