Anglican leaders in the United States have paved the way for a schism in the church’s worldwide congregation by lifting a ban on the ordination of gay bishops.
Bishops, clergy and lay members voted overwhelmingly to open up ”˜any ordained ministry’ of the Episcopal Church ”“ the US branch of the 77-million member Anglican Communion ”“ to gays and lesbians.
The decision was made at the denomination’s General Convention in Anaheim, California.
By defying traditionalists, the move will deepen theological fissures that now make an eventual split with the wider Anglican Church almost inevitable.