Still, there were moments of ....[tension?] Bishop Mouneer Anis told the bishops that their decision to consecrate Robinson created ``one of the most difficult disputes in the communion in our generation'' and that some ``think you are a different religion.''

``If you appreciate being members of the global Anglican family, then you have to walk alongside the members of your family,'' Anis said, according to a text of his remarks that was circulated.

Yet no one expects Episcopal leaders to completely reverse course. Theological conservatives are a minority in the denomination and some wish to stay in the church.

Williams will work with Anglican leaders and with members of the Anglican Consultative Council, an international lay-clergy panel, in evaluating whatever statement Episcopal bishops make before they end their gathering Tuesday.

Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan, head of a network of conservative Episcopal dioceses and parishes that are considering splitting from the Episcopal Church, said that Williams is ``de-emphasizing the ultimatum piece to try to get the best results'' from American leaders.

``A great number of the primates see that deadline very much as a real deadline,'' Duncan said, ``just as many of us had.''

Read it all.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Archbishop of Canterbury • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Bishops • Sept07 HoB Meeting

1. Bill C wrote: Again and again, the presses’ focus is on the sexuality issue and are unwilling or fail to acknowledge the far more significant root causes of the conflict.  I think that unfotunately the former impression is often given by the ‘reasserters’. September 22, 10:14 am | [comment link]

2. Bill C wrote: Also, from what I see, the ABC gives little or no acknowledgement that the crisis is only the sexuality one.  I wish he had responded more fully to ++Anis’ wonderful address. September 22, 10:16 am | [comment link]

3. robroy wrote: Yet another example of the ABC working against the DeS communique. September 22, 11:42 am | [comment link]

4. Harvey wrote: “Figures don’t lie but liars can figure’  This old expression can easily be reconfigured.  I’ll step down now. September 23, 6:35 pm | [comment link]

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