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No agreement on church gay issue No agreement on Church gay issue
(about 5 hours later)
A meeting of Anglican bishops is likely to end with no agreement on the issue of homosexuality which has threatened to tear the Church apart.A meeting of Anglican bishops is likely to end with no agreement on the issue of homosexuality which has threatened to tear the Church apart.
The Lambeth Conference has been taking place amid controversy over homosexual clergy and same-sex unions.The Lambeth Conference has been taking place amid controversy over homosexual clergy and same-sex unions.
About 200 bishops have boycotted the once-a-decade forum over the issue.About 200 bishops have boycotted the once-a-decade forum over the issue.
But the BBC's Robert Pigott says there are signs of support for a long-term conservative strategy to prevent further disintegration.But the BBC's Robert Pigott says there are signs of support for a long-term conservative strategy to prevent further disintegration.
The religious correspondent said there has been criticism of the way that, during the conference, bishops have been split up into small groups to discuss the issue that has brought the Communion to the brink of a permanent split. The religious correspondent said there had been criticism of the way that, during the conference, bishops have been split up into small groups to discuss the issue that has brought the Communion to the brink of a permanent split.
"However, it seems that a number of the groups have voted for a ban on gay bishops and church blessings for homosexual couples, as part of a long-term plan to preserve at least the core of the Communion," he said."However, it seems that a number of the groups have voted for a ban on gay bishops and church blessings for homosexual couples, as part of a long-term plan to preserve at least the core of the Communion," he said.
He added that some churches - including the liberal Episcopal Church in the US - would be unlikely to sign up to such an agreement but it seems the majority may be ready for the first time to go ahead without them.He added that some churches - including the liberal Episcopal Church in the US - would be unlikely to sign up to such an agreement but it seems the majority may be ready for the first time to go ahead without them.
Such an arrangement would result in a two-tier communion but no church would be expelled.Such an arrangement would result in a two-tier communion but no church would be expelled.
Divisive issueDivisive issue
Traditionalist Anglicans say several passages in the Bible clearly outlaw active homosexuality.Traditionalist Anglicans say several passages in the Bible clearly outlaw active homosexuality.
But liberals say the Bible's general message is that all people should be included in the Church.But liberals say the Bible's general message is that all people should be included in the Church.
Since the ordination of the openly gay bishop Gene Robinson in the US in 2003, divisions have become increasingly entrenched.Since the ordination of the openly gay bishop Gene Robinson in the US in 2003, divisions have become increasingly entrenched.
Last weekend, the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke of the need to resolve "internal tensions" within the Anglican Church.Last weekend, the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke of the need to resolve "internal tensions" within the Anglican Church.
In a sermon in Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams suggested rows over gay clergy and women bishops hampered the global Anglican Communion's mission.In a sermon in Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams suggested rows over gay clergy and women bishops hampered the global Anglican Communion's mission.
The final day of the conference, which started on 16 July and is being held at the University of Kent, is expected to begin with morning groups.The final day of the conference, which started on 16 July and is being held at the University of Kent, is expected to begin with morning groups.
The 650 bishops from around the world will then join their spouses in a joint closing session followed by worship at Canterbury Cathedral.The 650 bishops from around the world will then join their spouses in a joint closing session followed by worship at Canterbury Cathedral.