Danforth says Episcopalians too focused on gay issues

COLUMBUS, Ohio Former Senator John Danforth, an Episcopal priest, says his denomination risks irrelevance by focusing on divisive issues such as gay clergy and same-gender couples.Instead, Danforth says Episcopalians should put their energy behind reconciling a world increasingly polarized by politics and religion.

Danforth made the comments during the Episcopal General Convention in Ohio, where delegates are deciding whether they should stop electing gay bishops for now and put restrictions on same-sex blessing ceremonies to appease irate fellow-Anglicans around the world.

The Episcopal convention runs through next Wednesday, but church leaders hope voting on the issue will be completed before the election of their new presiding bishop on Sunday. link