New Orleans, La., Sep 27, 2007 / 08:00 am
The Episcopal bishops of the United States, attempting to avoid a schism, promised to "exercise restraint" by not approving more gay bishops and not authorizing a formal ritual for blessing same-sex unions.
The pledge is part of an eight-point statement issued Sept. 25 in the final minutes of a six-day meeting in New Orleans, reported the Globe. According to church officials, it reduces the likelihood that the Episcopal Church will be ousted from the 77 million-member global Anglican Communion.
The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, referred to the statement as a clarification of positions already articulated by the U.S. bishops, but said she hopes that "our sacrificial actions and united actions" will help stave off schism.
The bishops’ eight-point statement also criticizes actions by Anglican bishops from the developing world (mostly from Africa and Latin America) who have agreed to oversee conservative clergy and congregations in the U.S.