Too Much Monkey Business

Anglican primates challenge their leader

Many of the Church of England's top bishops have signed a letter to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams strongly disapproving of his attitude toward gay clergy.

The Archbishop Williams faces the gravest threat to his authority as leader of the worldwide Anglican community, according to the Guardian. Seventeen of the 38 Anglican primates, or national church leaders, signed the letter.

The archbishops, lead by ultra-conservative Nigerian Archbishop Dr. Peter Akinola, have urged Williams to reconsider and act against "unrepented sexual immorality" in the communion.

They also disapprove of his reluctance to attack the U.S. Episcopal Church for the ordination of gay bishop Gene Robinson, whom Archbishop Williams met with earlier this month.

They wrote, "We wonder whether your personal dissent from this consensus prevents you from taking the necessary steps to confront these churches that have embraced teaching contrary to the overwelming testimony of the Anglican communion."

"We urge you to re-think your personal view and embrace the church's consensus."

The letter was published on the Global South Anglican Web site just hours after the archbishop had addressed the General Synod in London this week.

Archbishop Willams pushed for reconciliation in prayer to challenge the rising tension and urged members to contact others in the worldwide church.

"We have to beware of poisoning the wells by doing our business with suspicion and hostility or lack of mutual respect," he said.

[From Planet Out & Gay UK]