[Apologetics] Gay Rift Deepens in Episcopal Church

[Art Kelly]

US parishes defect as gay rift deepens
Stephen Bates, religious affairs correspondent
Saturday August 28 2004
The Guardian


The leader of the US Episcopal Church told 
Ugandan Anglican bishops yesterday to keep out of its 
affairs after three Los Angeles parishes decided 
to ally themselves with an African diocese in the 
row over homosexual clergy. 

The parishes, in Newport Beach, Long Beach and 
North Hollywood, are the first to seek oversight 
from a bishop overseas. They have fallen out with 
the Rt Rev J Jon Bruno, the Bishop of Los Angeles, 
because of his support for blessing services for 
gay couples. He has warned the parishes' 
ministers that they may be deposed.  

In defiance of Anglican traditions of episcopal 
authority, the Rt Rev Evans Kisekka, Bishop of 
Luwero, in Uganda, has said he will act as the 
parishes' bishop, while the Most Rev Henry Orombi, the

Archbishop of Uganda, has also backed the US 
dissidents.  

Yesterday, Frank Griswold, the US church's 
presiding bishop, said: "The bishops of the Anglican 
Communion and the primates ... have made it clear 
that bishops are to respect the boundaries of one 
another's dioceses and provinces."  

The latest row places the Anglican Communion 
under fresh strain in the dispute over the US 
church's decision to appoint an openly gay bishop in
New 
Hampshire last year.  

A commission is due to report in October 
outlining the communion's future structure in the wake
of 
the crisis. In the meantime George Carey, the 
former Archbishop of Canterbury, has volunteered to 
conduct confirmation services in Virginia for 
those who do not wish to be touched by their 
diocesan bishop, Peter Lee, who voted in favour of 
Bishop Robinson's appointment.

Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited

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