It should be noted that the Times solicited an essay from Archbishop Orombi on the subject. Here is an interview with him on this essay: http://www.anglicantv.org/blog/index.cfm/2008/8/4/Archbishop-Orombi-clarifies-The-Times-letter

And I agree, he stated himself very well and correctly.

Mari, Kalamazoo, MI US

Some of you seem to have forgotten that love comes from God, and if two men or two women fall in love who are we to deny them HIS gift? To put gay relationships in the same category as child abuse is wicked.

Andy, Hampshire, UK

The Archbishop has brilliantly written what my position is, exactly. After reading the comments of others regarding the Archbishop's writing, I am amazed once again that so many believe the center of this issue is homosexuality.

Robert E. Carpenter, Concord Township, Ohio, United States

Non-rhetorical question: What does Orombi and others who feel strongly about this subject get out of Anglicanism that they wouldn't get out of the Roman Catholic Church or association with the Orthodox Churches?

Michael, Pueblo, Colorado, US

Perhaps the most note-worthy statement in Archbishop Orombi’s piece is “this one man (The Archbishop of Cantebury), who is at the centre of the communion's structures, is not even elected by his peers. Even the Pope is elected by his peers, but what Anglicans have is a man appointed by a secular gov

Sam Akaki, London, UK

This ongoing discussion among Christians like Henry Orombi, about the level of bigotry and inequality they think is correct in society shows me that Pastafarism is the only religion worth following, and that we need to make the UK a truly secular state and stop all the privileges the CoE enjoys.

Rob, St Just, Cornwall

Considering the dreadful state of Africa at the moment may I suggest that Mr. Orombi’s energies might be better expended on improving the life expectancy of his fellow Africans before he comes over here & lectures us on our sex lives.

Mike, Nottm, UK

Those who say the law-breaking of eating shellfish is on the same level as the immorality of homosexual behaviour are presumably not asking to be taken seriously. If they are, it might be useful to consider the differing current status of the moral, ceremonial and civil law in the Old Testament.

David Morrison, Springwood, Australia

Amen, Archbishop.

Ashley, Battersea, UK

A wonderful piece of writing on why religion should be shunned by anyone with half a brain.

Paul, Portsmouth, England

Not only in Africa, but all over the world, the only Christian churches that are growing are those that believe the Bible and not those who make excuses for it. Archbishop Orombi has correctly stated the situation in the Anglican communion., but I feel that denomination is doomed.

Terry Hamblin, Bournemouth, UK

May the Flying Spaghetti Monster bless you Orombi, otherwise perhaps one day you may achieve your unpleasant vision of a worldwide Anglican anti-gay society.

Paul.G, London, UK

Well said Rev Orombi. Initially I was not sure about GAFCON and the boycott , but now I see it was necessary. After reading 1Corth 5:11-13 you and the other Bishops have done the right thing.

Clem, Perth, Australia

I wonder what Bishop Orondi would make of the ArchBishop's recent conference with leading Islamic clerics. To me he seamed to be saying that there was little difference in the two religions, and I thought he was about to refer to Jesus Christ as a mere stumbling block.

Jeremiah, London,

Who wrote the Bible. God or Man? Who creates regulations and legislation, God or Man?

Storky, London, UK

Thank you Archbishop Orombi, for speaking the truth. Please be assured that not all of us in the west are morally corrupt and self-serving, and your words are refreshing and reassuring. We hope and pray that we will find leaders like you in our countries.

Hugh McWellal, Glasgow,

Derek, because something happens in nature does not make it natural. There are many perversions of nature. Even if you dont believe in God and a spiritual life and if animal existence is all you accept, there are still quirks of nature that have no purpose in nature.

Shaun, Bath, Somerset

The forthright approach of our Archbishop is offensive to some, but it is precisely here where many in the Western Church have floundered on the verities of the Bible. Indiscriminate tolerance is actually foreign to the faith of the Bible. Love the sinner out of their sin, not the sin.

John Senyonyi, Mukono, Uganda

Because, Derek, our natures are sinful. We aren't sinful because we've sinned - we sin because we're sinful. Haven't you read Romans 9?
Rev. H.L.O has bravely outed an issue that has been closeted for too long: the responsibility for present crisis lies with the wilful rebellion of the revisionists.

Dominic, Aberdeen, UK

I, for one, will take no lessons from anyone in authority in Africa about morality and standards of behaviour. Let the Archbishop look at the starvation, corruption and extreme misery that bedevils his continent. When he does something about that, then he can lecture us on our morals.

Ann Keith, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Interesting how there is a lot of support for banning homosexuals from Christianity as it is described as an adomination in your scripture....Well so is women working, Adultery, coveting thy neighbour all of which according to scripture can be condemened by a death sentace! Hmmmm....Simply PREJUDICE

Chris Ward, Coventry, United Kingdom

Let he that is without sin cast the first stone. Judge not, lest ye be judged...etc...
so many other biblical idioms come to mind that hypocritical homophobic religious leaders should perhaps try to live by instead of being so judgemental to their fellow man

david, new York, United States

For the past month the clergy have been at Lamberth for their conference why don't they identifiy the main cause of social unrest blighting our society in 21st century Britain, they could start by analising what Camilla Cavendish revealed in Family Law and get behind the campaign & push for reform!

Dave Farmer, Broxbourne, England

The Episcopal Church of the United States allows each bishop virtually total authority within his diocese, a fact reflected in that there are no archbishops in the USA. Each bishop is equal and each in his diocese the ultimate authority in such matters.

Jan G. Rogers, Havana,FL, USA

After reading this, I feel fortunate to have abandoned the Christianity of my parents at an early age. Seems like it would be better to take personal responsibility for your hatred of others, rather than claiming your God told you to hate.

Carol, Derbyshire,

I am so encouraged by a leader speaking the truth about a conversation that started twenty years ago. I applaud Archbishop Orambi in his steadfastness to agreements and the truth of the bible. May God have mercy on us as we walk apart.

Jennifer , Greeley, USA

The Church needs to move into the 21st century. Prosecuting church leaders would be a great help. The Church leaders have enjoyed immunity from prosecution for far too long and they need to be made an example of.

Michael Jeremy Cawood, Wrexham, Wales, UK

It is true that the Bible condemns homosexual acts. It is true that the Anglican church is blatantly disobeying the Bible in this regard and hence rebelling against God. Why is it then, that having recognised this, you have not left the Anglican church?
Look for those who obey God!
2 Cor 6:14-17

John Smith, Fleetwood, UK

Archbishop Orombi is right to connect loving Jesus and sticking to biblical Christian morality. Jesus is the Christian God, after all, not us...

Deciding what is/isn't applicable in different circumstances is hardly a new science, but there is so much ignorance in comments of how this applies!

David, Oxford, UK

Episcopalian Church in USA trying to impose change from within Anglican Church, despite strong objection from orthodox Anglican. Now they accused orthodox Anglicans are the one that causing problem. Blaming other is very ancient, but still being used by the 'most civilized' people.

James, Adelaide, Australia

The Bible also states that I can sell my daughter into slavery, and that my brother should be put to death for planting different crops next to each other.

Why do people not focus on that as that is written too.

Rob, London, UK

It is absurd, Bishop Orombi, to say you love someone who died two thousand years ago who you have never met. What you 'love' is yourself and the oppotunity to have power and influence over your congregation. I doubt you have ever seriously thought about your 'faith'. You are wrong about homosexuals.

Don Craigton, wakefield, u.k.

Its amazing that so many people are still in awe of a book designed to control people, and take part in a religion which no worthwhile scientific experiment has ever found any evidence that its leader (God) exists.

Adam, London,

"we have come to see this as a remnant of British colonialism, and it is not serving us well." Point well taken. Fair enough. And while we're at it, let us northern Anglican communions do away with that other colonial anachronism directed at the south: something called "funding."

Randal Oulton, Toronto, Canada

TANG!
(There Are No Gods)

Graham, London, UK

The words in a rather old book are being used to legitimise prejudice and allow persecution of people who are just getting on with their lives.
I'm constantly amazed at how the Church is so interested in what people do in their own bedrooms. They're a bunch of irrelevant weirdos if you ask me.

Steven Smith, London, England

I pick upon an earlier post that spoke about the myriad copies and contradictions in the bible when leavied against creation. This is a wonderful concept and something I've often thought about. God cannot be perfect, for his creations are palperbly imperfect. An inventor, revealing and reinventing.

Howard Wiley, London, UK

Tom of London, it has something to do with all of us because you are excusing bigotry using your belief in fairytales. If the best your omnipotent god can do for the world's ills is send one bloke to preach 2000 years ago he doesn't deserve the title. How many more genocides before he does more?

Paul Owen, Birmingham, UK

"don't ya think that the homophobic, misogynistic times in which it was written might not have had the teeniest, tiniest bearing on the Bible read now?"

Precisely, and the Rev. comes from a culture still holding many of these values.

meg, Melbourne , Australia

Jesus said to the Adulterous Woman. "Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and LEAVE your life of sin". (John 8:3-11 - NIV)

How conveniently we forget the 2nd part of his command.

Louis, Pretoria, South Africa

Ian Christmas

After forgiving the woman caught in adultery Jesus told her to 'go and sin no more', John 8:11. The grace she receives from Jesus doesn't encourage her to continue in her adultery, which Jesus calls sin, but his grace calls her to change and leave her adultery behind.

Nat

Nat, London,

To IAN,
If you are going to quote scripture, be intellectually honest enough to quote it entirely: John 8: 11(KJV) "She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more" . I suggest that you also read John 8: 31-32 regarding truth as well as 2 Tim 3: 16-17

Benjamin A. carey MD, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA

Archbishop Henry Orombi's statement is refreshingly clear, logical and faithful to God's holy Word. Thank God for spiritual leaders who prayerfully declare the truth.

Alex Marco, Bromsgrove, UK

Arch-Bishop Orombi is spot on. In the end two Anglican
communions will emerge, one which is faithful to the teachings of the Bible-maybe centred in the South, the other
liberal, changing, no longer orthodox christian. The C of E
in England must decide which one it wants to be in.

Philip, Dorset, England

"Those who violate biblical teaching must show repentance and regret before we can share communion with them".
But Jesus says only, "do this in memory of me" and that where even as few as two gather in His name- He is with us. Thus said; not even the gates of Hades will prevail against this rock.

Mrs.Josephine Hyde-Hartley, Bacup, UK

What is interesting here is many commentators point to gay people as if we were a some sort of evil cabal singlemindedly bent on breaking up 'their' religion.

The vast majority of gay people probably couldn't care less whether the church ties itself in knots or tears itself apart on this issue.

Ben Scaro, London, England

Anglicanism was born, not in Henry's divorce, but in Elizabeth's settlement, in which she attempted (quite successfully, as it's lasted 450 years) to reconcile conflicting views by saying 'I will not make windows into men's souls'. That's our tradition; can't we now maintain it with mutual respect?

keith hudson, villanova, usa

Doesn't god create us all, supposedly, and since homosexuals are born homosexuals isn't it kind of unfair that god would judge gay people for being when he created them

Jordan H, Dundee, Scotland

I have tried so hard to become Christian & to square Christianity with intellectual honesty. But 'bibliolatry' is such utter nonsense, an evasion of the task of witness by example; proof of God is in his people or it is nowhere! I'm giving up and going back home to ZEN.

Daniel Heslop, Bournemouth, UK

In the past, some self-sacrificing idealistic missionaries brought Christianity to Africa. Now the descendants of their converts are bringing it back to semi-pagan Europe. Let us listen to Bishop Orombi and his colleagues.
Eva Arnott

Eva Arnott, Arlington, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Anyone reading the Bible with an open mind will see that it is a collection of books written at different times in different circumstances, and taken as a whole is riddled with inconsistencies and contradictions. Why are so many Anglican leaders so obsessed with the single issue of homosexuality?

Ross Burgess, Croydon, England

This is as clear as a bell.
Thank you for articulating the crux of the issue so brilliantly.

SPA, Tower Hamlets, UK

All the hoopla over homosexuality in the Anglican (or any other) Church is based on the use of religion to bash others who are different from them. The Bible has scriptures that supports and condemns many common behaviors. It promotes slavery. It's a mistake to use the Bible as a sociology text.

Brian, Beaufort, USA

For Derek - there's an argument for saying that pedophiles are born that way; serial killers and doggie lovers too, y'know? God asks us to go against our natures. If he asked us to do easy things, we'd all do them, wouldn't we? The things we are asked to do are hard - that's the challenge.

Bill Beetham, Moscow, Russia

If this is Christ's church, He doesn't seem to be looking after it too well.

Frank Madigan, Capreol, Canada

If this is Christ's church, He doesn't seem to be looking after it too well.

Frank Madigan, Capreol, Canada

I want those who commit homogenital acts, like fornicators and adulterers, to get to heaven. But to do so they need to repent and change their lifestyle.
Well, done, Archbp Orombi, for forthright honesty, and for avoiding the fudging the issue so common to English Anglicans since Qu Elizabeth I.

Bernard O'Callaghan, Chorley, Lancs UK

No Archbishop, it won't do. You miss the two great distinguishing marks of Anglicanism - no interference in other independent provinces, and a respect for the other point of view. That' s why we don't burn each other anymore. And what about the collorary to Lambeth 1998, to listen to gay people?

anthony sadler, ars en ré, france

It seems to me, from a purely scientific angle, highly improbable that natural selection should favour a 'gay gene', because of course (until very recently at least) homosexuals are unable to reproduce. Having said that, the bigotry of the church is disgraceful.

Ben, York,

Since alcoholism has rather better evidence for being genetically based than homosexuality, will those arguing for morality to be based on genetic predisposition endorse that too?

David Richards, Witham, UK

It has not been proven conclusively that one can be born homosexual, but lets pretend that it has. So what? We are all sinful at conception. That's why it's so imperative to baptize infants. Being born with a particular sin is not an excuse to indulge it.

Katherine, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, USA

Re; Derek's comments "We know that same sex behaviour is part of nature and the wider animal kingdom." We also know that it is a part of nature for chimpanzees to eat the young of other members of their own community and wage war on other communities.

AJ, Chicago ,

Why do people want to be followers of Christ if they don't like the Bible? Christ said he didn't come to abolish the law and the prophets, but to fulfill it. Perhaps they need to admit that they want to belong to a different religion, rather than try to change it.

Kimo, Bath, UK

"See the direction of progress over the centuries? The future is tolerance and liberalism (and eventually, atheism)."

And how about for biblical Christians... Assurance Of Eternal Life - I want the Latter thank you friend.

Philip, Haywards Heath, England

Look, gays & heterosexuals, female & male priests: the Church is larger & more inclusive than anything that can be thrown in its way. Let's get real & keep moving! We will be stronger in the long run.

ian cheese, london, uk

View the words as you like - but remember they are just a collection of writings by people living just as today, what with translation and editing over 2000yrs - no wonder churches of the world cannot agree on hardly anything, because we have the same bias as the authors & their ruling classes had.

BJ, Sheppey, Kent

The Bible is where Christians claim to get their beliefs from and despite what the Liberals say it is very clear on the issue of sexuality. This is and has only ever been an argument about being faithful to the Bible's teaching.

Andrew brown, derby, uk

To a gay person this all sounds like twaddle. Gay people are born gay. We know that same sex behaviour is part of nature and the wider animal kingdom. If sin presupposes choice then how can it be sinful to be true to you nature?

Derek, London, England

Those who tolerate unbelievers in the Anglican communion often quote the parable of the wheat and the tares (or weeds). They say, Jesus has told us to allow both to grow together in the church until the final judgement. They wilfully misapply Scripture. The field represents the world not the church.

Terry Hamblin, Bournemouth, UK

Well put Rev H. L. Orombi. Before commenting on this issue I urge all scoffers and sceptics to read the Truth in the whole Bible first. i.e. do your research. This book is consistent throughout and up-to-date with modern living, you just need to read it.

Daz, Basingstoke, England, UK

What a mess. Ethically, I find Rev. Orombi's attitude deplorable. Intellectually, I know his Biblical interpretation is sound. The Bible unequivocally condemns homosexual congress - the liberal wing is embarrasing itself with futile theological gymnastics. Both sides fail to see the obvious...

Nick, London, England

... conclusion - that The Bible is not a comprehensive authority on what is morally right or wrong. Humanity has evolved and refined its understanding of morality - it is self-taught and self-administered. Leave the outdated, myopic Biblical attitude to homosexuality behind.

Nick, London, England

When your religion hangs in the balance because of someone's sexuality,I guess I would have to question the religion.
Who do you believe created homosexuals anyway,if not your God?
Did your God create homosexuals simply so you would have someone to hate?

ron, toronto,

Those of us who embrace the one church created by Christ can only watch in dismay as split after split emerges in all denominations not in communion with Rome. The Reverend is clearly a learned man of god but why doesn't he see Matthew 16:18,19 for what it is. Embracing Rome would solve all this now

John, Limerick City, Ireland

Ian Christmas has only partially quoted Jesus' words. In full: "neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin." This is the very attitude Abp Orombi is demonstrating - he is not condemning those who practise homosexuality, but he is insisting they repent and leave their 'life of sin'

PTC, Hampshire, UK

Orombi: you argue that your voice has not been heard. But neither have you heard and responded to those who ask you why you focus on homosexuality rather than,as others mention, the forbidden practice of eating shellfish? You are doing exactly what you accuse others of, as the church always does!

Thomas Kingaroy, Sydney,

Abp. Orombi asks a very pertinent question. But there is another question that should be asked of Abp. Williams. When one party is walking away from a relationship, to whom should +Canterbury's question be first addressed, he who stands fast, or he who walks intransigently away?

Keith Toepfer, Bothell, Washington, USA

How very sad. Christianity is named after an amazingly loving, tolerant, and forgiving person called Jesus Christ. On the issue of sexual relationships, I would be guided by His statement to the woman taken in adultery. "They do not condemn you, no more do I. Go in peace".

Ian Christmas, High Wycombe, Bucks

The qualifications for a bishop are rather plainly given in the new testament. (I Timothy 3)

Husband of one wife (a one-woman man) isn't one that women or active homosexuals can meet. You don't need to go to Leviticus, or Jude, or any of other pastoral letters to see it in plain text.

Bo, Macclenny,

The Gay lobbyists are very clever.
Divide and Rule.

Brian, Longreach, Australia

That church was built by Henri VIII to allow him to marry and divorce at his will. That guy was a well known "ogre" . It's no surprise that such decadence is occuring today (the tree is the result of the seed).

Some christians will come back to the common house (the catholic church) Alleluiah!

Jean-Robert, Paris, France

This bizarre obsession with sex preoccupies the proselytising religions, and seems far more male than divine. It's about power, paternity and control, with women veiled, circumcised and even executed if they transgress. Homosexuality threatens this, so isn't tolerated. Such hypocrisy.

monica, guildford,

Eating shellfish is also prohibited in the bible, but no-one protests against shellfish; everyone interprets the bible in some way. Prohibitions against homosexuality are no more than using religion to legitimise prejudice, much like biblical teachings being used to support racism 100 years ago.

Emma, Cambridge,

I feel very sorry for the Anglicans and Christian church at large at the moment

They deserve better than to be represented by the likes of Luke Orombi. He, and his fellow bishops, wish their god to be known as a creature of hate and prejudice. I don't think the faith deserves that.

Paul Wooldridge, Hull,

The Church condemns many heterosexual activities as well including pre-marital sex, adultery, oral sex etc. They're not singling out homosexuals by any means.

Memo to gay lobby: it's not all about you! You're not the center of the universe. Get over your narcissistic, self-absorbed selves.

George, New York City, USA

God bless you, Archbishop Orombi. You have laid out a splendid explanation of the great divide within Anglicanism today, with truth and love.

Eve Nash, Birmingham, AL

Paul Owen, I take it you are not an Anglican or even a Christian so what's it got to do with you? God cares enormously about his children gay or straight, and he has already done something about the pain and suffering in the world - Jesus Christ.

Tom, London,

Well done Bishop, the more your come out with this nonsense the stronger will be the move to atheism.

The Bible, which is full of error, contradiction and absurdity is no guide for living.

Tom, Aldershot, UK

The old testament book of Leviticus, from where the anti-gay bigots draw their biblical justifications from, also supports slavery. Today, we do not live our lives by its old testament codes. Africa is still a prisoner of imperialism, poverty and corruption, and its Bishops are part of the problem.

Daniel, Lancashire,

I grieve for the Anglican Communion, that once stalwart and faithful church. Christ have mercy on us.

Bryan Maes, Albuquerque, NM, USA

So, this God who will do nothing about all of the pain and suffering in the world nevertheless is enormously interested in what loving couples of whatever sex do in private. But, if he objects so strongly, no doubt these "sinners" will be punished by your god. What's it got to do with you?

Paul Owen, Birmingham, UK

Amen and God bless you Archbishop Orombi.Tt has been a sad state of affairs for many of us. Bishop Griswold betrayed our Lord and all of us.

Paul Wanthal, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, USA

The prohibition not eating certain foods, etc. was a reflection of the seperateness from other people, they were God’s chosen. In Acts 11 God repealed his prohibition against foods by declaring all things clean. This was a work of the Cross, which Christ fulfilled as the perfect lamb of sacrifice.

Tom, London,

On the other hand the verses in leviticus referring to sexual immorality, homosexuality etc. were universal moral codes and not just for the israelites i.e. God destroyed Sodom and Gommorah because of their sexual immorality and not because they ate shellfish.

Tom, London,

Yes, if there was a large world-wide church movement called Americanism, run from Washington by an appointee of the US President, I bet Rowan Williams would also be vigorously demanding a change in the structure...

john fenwick, southport, UK

Mike from Epworth, thing of it is, you're not forced to join the faith. What Archbishop Orombi is saying that he and faithful members of the faith are being persecuted. If you can ignore that, then you are undermining your own rights.

Jenny, Grand Rapids, MI US

May God bless you, Reverend...

Manny Johnson, Redcar, UK

For people sayin it is un-Christ-like to 'look down' on homosexuals, lets be clear, sure he embraced the tax-collector, the prostitute but these people reformed their characters, they repented, they did not continue to live a sinful lifestyle as long as they were disciples of Christ

Tom, London,

Mike, I believe you have it backwards. AB Orombi and others opposing the actions taken in the US are adhering to the entire Bible; it is the US church that is selecting only "bits" to support their views.

I must ask, have you read and studied this "religious book" for yourself?

Susan, Jacksonville, USA

There's the Bible, a book so old that the original manuscript is long lost, and no two pre-printing-press copies are alike. And then there's God's creation all around us.

Which of these is the accurate work of God?

I say where God's creation contradicts the Bible - go with the creation.

E Carpenter, New York, USA

Mr. McGeachy, Archbishop Orombi speaks out against the attempt to force himself and the faithful from the traditional interpretation of the scripture, why do YOU have no tolerance for them?

Jenny, Grand Rapids, MI US

I can't help but believe that Jesus would have turned away no one. He would not have looked down upon a gay man or a Lesbian woman . . . he would have embraced them all as Children of God.
The hypocritical Bible-interpretation of many Christians is as un-Christ-like behavior as I have ever seen.

Doreen, Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Well said Diana! I'm a Christianbut I know better that to believe that the bible arrived by email direct from Jesus' laptop. Richard and Jeff et. al. don't y think that the homophobic, misogynistic times in which it was written might not have had the teeniest, tinest bearing on the Bible read now?

Catherine, London,

You are fighting a losing battle, Reverend. See the direction of progress over the centuries? The future is tolerance and liberalism (and eventually, atheism). You are taking your views from an age ravaged by barbarism and ignorance. Britain moved on a long time ago.

Steve, Cardiff, UK

Jesus Christ said nothing about homosexuality, pro or con - though he did condemn divorce and polygamy. The Bible is the word of devout interpreters of God, explaining what they thought God wanted. But was the Church right in condemning gay sex? Did the Bible understand homosexual people at all?

Tom Sutcliffe, London, UK

I don't understand how condemning homosexual behavior equates with treating gays badly. Jesus spent time hanging out with outcasts, but did not condone sins. It has been said that he never spoke to a prostitute; because he saw the human, not an object. He said "Go now and leave your life of sin".

Josh M., Cleveland,

Bravo! Most Rev. Orombi.

Well said, there are those of us in the church in America who still believe as you.

We appreciate the efforts that you and the other Primates are making on our behalf.

Thank you.

Richard Moriarty, Cheneyville, LA, USA

Those who practise bibliolatry will never be able to participate meaningfully in the proclamation of a gospel of love and compassion. The very centre and essence of the Christian Gospel can never be experienced or expressed by such people. The Word of God is Jesus, not the Bible.

Hugh Bonsey, Salisbury, UK

Sir, as Protestants, why do you care how other people in another part of the world interpret Biblical doctrine? Surely that is one of the founding pillars of Anglicanism; that each person can interpret the theology in his own way, as opposed to blindly following Papal edicts?

Mr. McGeachy, Campbeltown, Scotland

Thanks to The Times for publishing this. From the USA, I am thankful for Archbishop Orombi's stand for Truth. The Anglican Midle Way has never been to accept things contrary to the plain reading of God's Word Written. My Episcopal Church has laid aside Truth and licensed "If it feels good do it".

Jeff Weiesnbach, Dallas Texas, USA

From +Aspinall's remarks earlier today, it seemed that +Cantuar was not questioning Lambeth 1998 but the method by which it was conducted (In this case a last minute floor resolution 1.10) It appears he didn't want that kind of conduct again, hence the indaba process. No dominance by anyone.

EmilyH, Portland, USA

Its sad that such Christians as the Most Rev Orombifeel they are excluded from their church by the actions of a dying bunch of liberals in the west.

May the Christians of Africa, Asia and South America pray for us here in the west.

Patrick Davies, Manchester, UK

Archbishop Orombi's words come as a real breath of fresh air, when gay politics in the west have reduced so many Christians to silence on this issue. We are not seeking the persecution of anyone, but when the word of God calls something an abomination we cannot pretend it is otherwise.

Paul, Sai Kung, Hong Kong

Well said. I supppose in one way we can be thankful this is only one homosexual vicar in America. Lord knows, we are lucky in that within the church of England that sort of thing would never happen. Gays in the church? Whatever next!

Edna Welthorpe , tunbridge wells,

Dear Archbishop, for Episcopalians, there is no turning back. We love our gay/lesbian brothers & sisters, priests & Bishop Robinson, our women priests & bishops & presiding bishop. We do not find suppression of gays (or beating them for being gay) or oppression of women to reflect Jesus's love.

Diana, Grass Valley, California, USA

It seems to me to come down to the importance that he places on homosexuality. Why not pursue the eating of shellfish with as much venom?. This obsession with vilifiying and denigrating love between gay men and between lesbians is a disgrace and a poor reflection on him.

David Reid, London, England

Henry, when your organisation puts popular belief and trend before biblical truth and established theocratic standards, its time to question where your loyalty lies. Make the break. Leave and find a faith that pleases God, not the PC trends of western culture.

Greig, Alness,

Clearly a man of principle who is not afraid to speak his mind.

I doubt, however, that his words will have any effect on his fellow bishops who are clearly minded to press ahead with their own ideas that - they believe - have greater inspiration than the Bible.

No wonder the churches are MT.

David Hunter, Redcar, UK

Frankly, I'd rather break bread with a gay person, an atheist or a transvestite than someone with the discriminatory attitudes fostered by blinkered adherence to "bits" of a religious book. I'm tempted to say " Grow up" but I know that religionists rarely listen to anyone but themselves.

Mike, Epworth, UK

Well said, Most Rev Orombi. How long can we waste our time talking to people who have no commitment to following Christ as presented in His word.

Jos M. Strengholt, Cairo, Egypt