Williams' article drew a mixed response in the U.S.

The Rev. Susan Russell, president of Integrity, the Episcopal gay advocacy group, said she was disappointed that Williams portrayed the U.S. moves toward inclusion for gays and lesbians as "solely a political or rights-based position" when the Episcopal Church has cited a theological basis. But she welcomed keeping the communion together in a way that would not classify branches as superior or inferior.

"What the archbishop is really stating is the reality: that the structures that have served the Anglican Communion historically need some work," Russell said. "The 21st century is different than the 16th century."

Canon Kendall Harmon, a traditionalist leader in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, said while there are positives in Williams' latest attempt to hold the Communion together, the Anglican leader left unanswered key questions about how a two-tiered system would function.

"It's going to increase the chaos in the province of the American church, and in the Anglican Communion," Harmon said.

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Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Archbishop of Canterbury • Episcopal Church (TEC) • General Convention • TEC Conflicts

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