Episcopalians Firm on Gay Bishops
Delegates Reject Anglicans' Request for Temporary Ban
By Rachel Zoll
Associated Press
Wednesday, June 21, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 20 -- Episcopal delegates snubbed Anglican leaders' request that they temporarily stop electing openly gay bishops, a vote that prompted the church's leader to call a special session in hopes of reaching a compromise to preserve Anglican unity.

The vote Tuesday by the Episcopal House of Deputies came just hours before Presbyterians, at a separate meeting, approved a plan to let local congregations install gay ministers if they wish.

In Columbus, the debate over the proposed moratorium on the election of gay bishops stretched over two days in the House of Deputies, a legislative body of more than 800 clergy and lay leaders.
Top Anglican officials had asked the Episcopalians for a temporary ban to calm the outrage among conservatives over the election three years ago of Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who lives with his longtime male partner. the rest