Free Republic

Episcopal Church officials voted yesterday to allow bishops the latitude to bless same-sex unions -- the second vote this week in favor of gay rights and one that may further divide the worldwide Anglican community. On the last day of the church's triennial national convention in Anaheim, Calif., officials stopped short of creating liturgical rites to bless same-sex unions, but approved a compromise measure that allows bishops, especially in states where same-sex unions are legal, to bless the relationships. The key portion of the legislation says bishops "may provide generous pastoral response" for such unions. The vote came three days...

In the latest sign of the turmoil over homosexuality that is dividing the Episcopal Church, USA, the second-ranking official of the Diocese of Central Florida resigned Tuesday. The Rev. Ernest Bennett says he fears the diocese may be preparing to leave the national church. ……… Bishop John Howe, whom Bennett served for the past decade, said he was deeply saddened by Bennett's departure. "He just feels he's in a different place than where he thinks a majority in the diocese are," Howe said. "We're both despairing over this." The bishop acknowledged that Bennett's departure is a sign of strong differences...