NEW ORLEANS Anglican bishops in the United States pledged last night not to authorise same-sex blessings.

In an attempt to avoid schism, the Episcopal Church bishops went as far as they could to restrain the liberal agenda that has come close to shattering the unity of the worldwide communion.

They also approved a “flying bishops” proposal for traditionalists unable to accept the ordination of the openly gay Bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson. Some bishops in the US have defected to churches in Africa, and in the most high-profile case the Bishop of Rio Grande, the Right Rev Jeffrey Steenson, said he was to be received into the Roman Catholic Church.

The proposals were announced after a tense meeting in New Orleans, attended by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, that lasted nearly a week. The US bishops stated their “unequivocal support” for civil rights for lesbian, gay and transgender people, but described a “deep desire” to rebuild trust with the other provinces of the Anglican Communion.

'If Church got rid of gay clergy it would collapse'

A homosexual bishop claims the Church of England would come close to dimise if it was forced to manage without gay clergy

BACKGROUND

• Gay weddings flourish in a religious stronghold

• Pope to discuss influx of Anglicans

• US Church pledges not to consecrate gay bishops

• Bishop defects to Catholic Church in gay row

BACKGROUND

• Pro-gay agenda pushes Church closer to schism

• Archbishop of Canterbury's 'secret gay communion'

• Archbishop faces clash over gay marriages of 50 priests

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