Reports, leaking out from the secluded HOB over the weekend, indicate that back room deals have replaced blessed "conversation". With word, broken by VirtueOnline, that the Anglican Communion is irreversibly compromised, there was scrambling to rescue what looks to be a lost situation.

The preliminary draft revealed little more than an Apocalypse Now scenario with the HOB reaffirming that it wanted Mrs. Schori to provide episcopal visitors - delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (DEPO) -- for dioceses within TEC. This has already been rejected by a number of orthodox dioceses. (See separate VOL story).

A Pastoral Scheme for orthodox dioceses seeking alternative oversight proposed by the Primates was rejected because they said it violated TEC's Constitution and Canons. "These incursions imperil the Communion's principle of honoring one another as we work together in good faith on these very difficult issues," said the draft.

The HOB embraced the "listening process" set forth by the 1998 Lambeth Conference. The HOB said they saw the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) as best able to accomplish this objective.

On the subject of Resolution B033 that the Episcopal Church effect a moratorium on the consecration of homosexuals to the episcopacy, the HOB acknowledged that there is disagreement as to how this is interpreted and applied, but saw no need to change or reverse its mind on the matter, asking for "patience and forbearing" from the Communion.

On the issue of liturgical blessings for same-sex persons, the HOB noted that it had never voted to authorize such liturgies deeming it "unacceptable", but recognized that dioceses would continue exercising "local option" on the matter. "We acknowledge that in some of our dioceses this includes the blessing of same sex unions," concluded the report.

On Lambeth 2008 the HOB were "mindful" that Gene Robinson had not received an invitation to Lambeth. The Archbishop of Canterbury did invite a small group of bishops appointed by the Presiding Bishop to assist him in facilitating Bishop Robinson's presence and participation.

The HOB reaffirmed "gay and lesbian persons" as "full and equal participants" in the life of the church confirming that the Episcopal Church will continue to ordain homosexuals and lesbians to all levels of the church.

In an open forum on the draft to which the press was invited, Charles E. Jenkins, Bishop of Louisiana, commented, "I must say I feel like I just got hit by a stolen beer truck on the way to the Superdome. The document needs to be divided and the issues separated out."

John W. Howe, Bishop of Central Florida, questioned the validity of the draft asking that the HOB vote up or down on the three resolutions the Primates requested - pastoral oversight, no to same-sex blessing and no to future consecrations of non-celibate homosexuals to the ministry.

The thrice-married Bishop of Northern California, Barry Beisner, said the language regarding the incursion of extra provincial Bishops should be strengthened. The Bishop of Fond du Lac, Russell Jacobus, affirmed that.

Wayne Smith, Bishop of Missouri, said the language regarding a moratorium on the consecration of homosexuals should be strengthened (to approve same) as well as for same sex liturgies.

Don Wimberly, Windsor Bishop of Texas, said the three questions of the primates should get an up and down vote.

Los Angeles Bishop J. Jon Bruno got the most nods when he said, "We are going to abide by our decisions at GC2006."

There was no explicit angry reaction to today's draft recommendations as most of the orthodox bishops have already left town.

A second and final draft will be presented to the HOB on Tuesday.

END