A deadline of Sept. 30 for compliance with the worldwide church was set earlier this year, when the Anglican Church called for the 2.4 million member Episcopal Church to renounce the blessing of same-sex marriages and agree to no longer allow non-celibate homosexuals to become bishops.<\/p>\n
A majority of American bishops are not inclined to agree with the worldwide body, and the tension threatens to split a relationship between Episcopalians and Anglicans, and has already divided Episcopalians in the United States.<\/p>\n
Citing the Rutgers’ women as examples of how to lessen tension, “was an appropriate comparison,” said Rev. Greg Bezilla, the Episcopal chaplain at Rutgers. He likened comments Imus made about African-American women at Rutgers to comments often made about homosexuals.<\/p>\n
“For so many people who are gay or lesbian, they are used to being disregarded, and insulted,” said Bezilla.<\/p>\n
Bezilla does not anticipate the Episcopal Church will yield to the Anglican demands. “My expectations are that the bishops will not accept any proposal that would infringe on their own autonomy and authority as national church,” he said.<\/p>\n
“The truth of the gospel is that Jesus proclaimed acceptance for all, and that he broke down barriers wherever he found them,” said Rev. Karin R. Mitchell, the rector of the St. David’s Episcopal Church in Cranbury.<\/p>\n