Anglican Head Cites Need for Theological Dialogue
Archbishop says work of communion will suffer as long as deep divisions exist on theological issues
By The Associated Press
Sun, Mar. 04 2007

LONDON (AP) - The spiritual leader of the world Anglican Communion says the struggle to keep the fellowship unified despite deep divisions over the Bible and sexuality is hampered by the lack of real theological discussion on the issues.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said addressing those Scriptural differences is made more difficult "by one group forging ahead with change in discipline and practice, and the other insistently treating the question as the sole definitive marker of orthodoxy."

Williams made the comments Feb. 26 at a Church of England meeting, one week after Anglican leaders gave the U.S. Episcopal Church an ultimatum: The Americans must promise by Sept. 30 to not consecrate another gay bishop or authorize official prayers for gay couples - or they will face a reduced role in the Anglican family.

The Episcopal Church, the U.S. wing of the 77 million-member Anglican Communion, caused an uproar in 2003 by consecrating the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. the rest