US church leader edges away from gay bishops confrontation

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1758207,00.html

[Guardian Unlimited] April 21, 2006--The leader of the US Episcopal church, which is in danger of being expelled from the worldwide Anglican communion for its election of an openly homosexual bishop, has warned parishioners of the diocese of California that they would widen the confrontation it they chose another gay bishop. In a fortnight’s time the diocese, centred on San Francisco, will choose its next bishop from six candidates, three of whom are gay.

Speaking exclusively to the Guardian, Frank Griswold, presiding bishop of the US church, said: “The diocese needs to respect the sensibilities of the larger communion. It will note what is going on in the life of the church and make a careful and wise decision. It will then be up to the house of bishops to give or withhold their consent. Given what has happened over the last three years, I think there will be increased sensitivity.”

Bishop Griswold met Dr Rowan Williams in Canterbury to discuss the measures the church proposes to defuse the situation at its triennial general convention in Ohio in June.

Anglican Mainstream posted the following commentary on the points made by Presiding Bishop Griswold.

• If Bishop Griswold is asking the electors in San Francisco to step back and respect the sensibilities of the Communion, why could he not have done the same in New Hampshire?

• The common argument that poverty, disease and civil war are more important fails to recognize that it is precisely those most afflicted by these evils who are clearest that obedience to God’s provision for marriage is the best for human society. Do we further marginalize the poor by also telling them that we know better than them about God’s will in this matter, and on what basis?

• The issue of sexuality is one that pervades western society. The church cannot ignore it. To care for the good expression of God’s good gift is not the work of the Evil One but of the Lord himself.

• An appeal for unity from Bishop Griswold is ironic to say the least. Remember whose actions provoked this crisis and which people have walked apart from the teaching of the communion.