The Anglican Communion, which is the world’s third-largest body of Christians with 77 million members, has been bitterly divided over homosexuality since the election of an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire in 2003.
Archbishop Rowan Williams, the spiritual leader of Anglicanism, said the document, called a “covenant,” is “a practical, sensible and Christian way of dealing with our conflicts.”
Each Anglican province is autonomous, limiting the power of Williams and other Anglican leaders to police the communion. In fact, last month, Episcopalians in Los Angeles defied Williams by electing an open lesbian, the Rev. Mary Glasspool, as an assistant bishop.
Since then, Williams and the Anglican Communion’s Standing Committee have asked the U.S. church to “exercise restraint” by not confirming Glasspool’s election.
The nine-page covenant does not mention homosexuality, but says provinces that take “controversial” actions could face “relational consequences,” including limitations on their membership in the communion.
Williams said he hopes provinces will adopt the covenant by 2012.
— Daniel Burke
