Episcopalians defeat bid to nix more gay bishops
By Julia Duin
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
June 21, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Episcopalians will continue consecrating homosexual bishops and allowing same-sex unions after its House of Deputies defeated a motion yesterday to stop both in the waning hours of their General Convention.

The 843 clergy and lay delegates defeated Resolution A161, a compromise that would have stopped same-sex "blessings" and the election of homosexual bishops for at least another three years. The resolution also would have apologized to those homosexual Episcopalians "hurt by these decisions."

In votes cast by delegations, Episcopal laity voted 71-38 against A161, and the church's clergy cast 67 "no" votes to 44 yes votes. The Diocese of Washington's lay and clergy delegations, plus the Diocese of Virginia's clergy delegation, all voted against A161. Both Diocese of Maryland delegations voted yes, as did the laity from Virginia. the rest