BELFAST: GAY CLERICS: ANGLICANS URGE CALM

By Staff ReporterBelfast Telegraph20 February 2004

THE major Anglican Commission chaired by Archbishop Robin Eames in the aftermath of the controversy involving homosexual bishops has called for a period of calm.

The Commission on Anglican Structures, which met for the first time at St George's, Windsor, for three full days last week, has issued a statement requesting all members of the worldwide Anglican Communion "to refrain from any precipitate action, or legal proceedings, which would further harm the bonds of communion in the period while it completes its work".

Members of the 17-strong Commission said that that they were saddened, however, that "tensions within the Communion, exacerbated by the use of strident language, have continued to rise in recent months".

The Commission was set up last October by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, in the midst of the controversy over the appointment of Dr Gene Robinson, a practising homosexual as a Bishop in New Hampshire in the USA.

From the outset Archbishop Eames outlined the Commission's role.

He said: "Our job is not to discuss sexuality as such but to find guidelines which will allow us to live together in communion while facing disagreement."

An Anglican Church spokesman told the Belfast Telegraph last night that the Commission had been encouraged by its first formal session.

He said: "Everyone worked flat out to try find a way forward."

He confirmed that the Commission was still on schedule to present its report to Dr Williams in September but that the worldwide Anglican Primates would not have a chance to discuss it together until at least the New Year.