Anglican Communion Suspends U.S. Episcopal Church Over Same-Sex Marriage
Archbishops of the worldwide Anglican Communion voted Thursday to suspend the entire U.S. Episcopal Church over its embrace of same-sex marriage, which they said has caused "deep pain" and "deeper mistrust" in the denomination
The vote by archbishops meeting in Canterbury, England, essentially directs Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to relegate almost 2 million American Episcopalians to non-voting "observer" status within their own communion.
Under the terms of the resolution, American Episcopalians and leaders will be stripped of their votes at Anglican conferences and assemblies, won't be allowed to participate in decision-making "on issues of doctrine or polity" and can't officially represent the Anglican Communion on interfaith commissions.
The action isn't anywhere near as severe as expulsion or excommunication. But the Rev. Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop of the U.S. church, said it does cause "real pain" for American Episcopalians.
"For fellow disciples of Jesus in our church who are gay or lesbian, this will bring more pain," Curry said in a statement distributed through the church's Episcopal News Service.
"For many who have felt and been rejected by the church because of who they are, for many who have felt and been rejected by families and communities, our church opening itself in love was a sign of hope," Curry said. "And this will add pain on top of pain."
The U.S. branch of the church has been at odds with the parent communion ever since it elected the first openly gay Episcopal bishop, Gene Robinson, in 2003. Robinson couldn't immediately be reached for comment, but he said Thursday on Twitter that Curry "speaks for me."
Under the terms of the resolution, American Episcopalians and leaders will be stripped of their votes at Anglican conferences and assemblies, won't be allowed to participate in decision-making "on issues of doctrine or polity" and can't officially represent the Anglican Communion on interfaith commissions.
The action isn't anywhere near as severe as expulsion or excommunication. But the Rev. Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop of the U.S. church, said it does cause "real pain" for American Episcopalians.
"For fellow disciples of Jesus in our church who are gay or lesbian, this will bring more pain," Curry said in a statement distributed through the church's Episcopal News Service.
"For many who have felt and been rejected by the church because of who they are, for many who have felt and been rejected by families and communities, our church opening itself in love was a sign of hope," Curry said. "And this will add pain on top of pain."
The U.S. branch of the church has been at odds with the parent communion ever since it elected the first openly gay Episcopal bishop, Gene Robinson, in 2003. Robinson couldn't immediately be reached for comment, but he said Thursday on Twitter that Curry "speaks for me."
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