World
Episcopal Bishops Reject Ultimatum
CBN News
March 21, 2007
CBNNews.com - Episcopal bishops have rejected an ultimatum from Anglican leaders.
That move could force the Anglican Church to expel the Episcopal branch from its worldwide family.
"If that means that others reject us and communion with us, as some have already done, we must with great regret and sorrow accept their decision," the bishops said in a statement.
Conservative Episcopalians have opposed their denomination's liberal theology and its support for homosexuality.
So the Anglican Church had ordered the U.S. branch to provide an alternate leader for those conservative who opposed Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schor's stance.
But Episcopal bishops meeting today in Texas refused to obey the Anglican Communion's mandate.
"We cannot accept what would be injurious to the church and could well lead to its permanent division," the bishops said.
In 2003, Episcopalians consecrated the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.
AP contributed to this report.
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