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Episcopal feud over gay bishops widenshttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060628/ap_on_re_us/episcopalians_gays_2 http://tinyurl.com/rcvfk By RACHEL ZOLL, AP Religion Writer Wed Jun 28, 2006 4:14 PM ET Three conservative Episcopal dioceses that oppose consecrating gay bishops voted Wednesday to reject the authority of the denomination's presiding bishop, but stopped short of a full break with the Episcopal Church. In separate meetings, the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, South Carolina and San Joaquin, Calif., asked the spiritual head of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, to assign them an alternative leader. The Diocese of Pittsburgh is home to the Anglican Communion Network, which represents 10 conservative U.S. dioceses...

Bible supports homosexual partnerships, says bishophttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/05/28/nchurch28.xml http://tinyurl.com/lb2b9 By Jonathan Wynne-Jones (Filed: 28/05/2006) One of the country's most senior bishops has reignited the Church of England row over homosexuality by claiming that same-sex partnerships are supported by the Bible. The Rt Rev Richard Harries, the Bishop of Oxford, said that traditionalists in the Church needed to be "converted" to see that homosexual unions are confirmed by the scriptures. He reaffirmed his controversial belief that an openly gay man should be allowed to be appointed a bishop. His remarks have angered traditionalists and are set to rekindle the debate on homosexual "marriages"...

The chief bishop of the Episcopal Church USA spoke in Newark yesterday but avoided comment on gay rights, a controversy roiling the Anglican Church just weeks before the national convention.

Episcopal Church Debate Grows More Heated http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/nation/14611673.htm http://tinyurl.com/rrwgw Thursday May 18, 2006 7:46 PM By RACHEL ZOLL AP Religion Writer Kendall Harmon has to monitor his blog these days, so he can delete insults and offensive language from the comments section. His topic: the Episcopal Church. As a critical church meeting on homosexuality nears, the debate online and in public comments has grown so intense that one publication has dubbed it ``blood sport.'' ``I think people are dreading possible outcomes and when you're dealing with the unknown, fear kicks in in a big way,'' said Harmon, a minister and conservative...

Seminary professor says PCUSA task force will follow Lutherans on ordaining active homosexuals By Paula R. Kincaid The Layman Online Saturday, June 18, 2005 EDINA, Minn. – "All mainline denominations are heading toward the rapids," said Robert A.J. Gagnon as he opened his workshop on "Scriptural Authority, Church Unity and Sexual Conduct" at the New Wineskins Convocation on Thursday. Gagnon at his Thursday workshop. "The United Church of Christ is has already gone over," he said, then asked, "Who's next?" His opinion – in order: The Episcopal Church (USA), the Evangelical Lutheran Church of American, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and...

Church moderator cites unity over controversy Presbyterians told to decide issues on local level The Rev. Susan Andrews, head of the Presbyterian Church (USA), said yesterday that she believes the denomination's commitment to unity and honest dialogue that brought about changes in its policies on slavery, divorce, and the ordination of women eventually will allow the ordination of homosexual clergy. Ms. Andrews, elected moderator of the General Assembly in May, 2003, said members of the 2.5 million-member mainline Protestant denomination must abide by church law while "working to change things from within." In an interview at First Presbyterian Church of...