In the Anglicans' fundamental dispute over homosexuality, the church's honorary leader called on all sides to be more willing to compromise. "Everyone is challenged," Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury said Tuesday night. The dispute between the conservative and liberal wings centers in part on whether homosexuals should be allowed to be ordained bishops.
"Mutual generosity" is the way to go, Williams told the clergy. He again spoke in favor of the creation of a new international advisory body. "The key words are trust and authority," he said. A new basic treaty for the community is also desirable, he says: "Some are dissatisfied because they don't want an agreement with a legal character. But good law ensures cohesion and fairness," Williams emphasized.The line of conflict in the dispute runs between African nations and North America, among others. In the U.S., gay clergyman Gene Robinson was consecrated bishop of New Hampshire in 2003. In parts of Canada, the public blessing of same-sex couples has been possible for some years now. Parties to the conflict need to understand each other's concerns and needs, Williams said. For example, in some parts of the world, it could be very dangerous to belong to a church known as a "gay church".The Canterbury conference had begun in mid-July and continues until 3. August. A high-level task force had proposed on Monday to stop episcopal ordination and public blessing for practicing homosexuals until further notice. There were reservations about this initiative from bishops in North America.