Gay Episcopal Bishop Says 'Unprecedented' Demands Will Dominate Meeting
Daniel Burke
03-15-07

WASHINGTON (RNS) On his way to a crucial meeting of Episcopal bishops, the openly gay bishop whose election set off a row in the global Anglican Communion said church governance, not gay rights, may dominate the agenda.

Episcopal bishops will meet behind closed doors Friday through March 21 in Navasota, Texas. They are expected to discuss recent demands by Anglican primates, or top bishops, that the American church promise by Sept. 30 to stop electing gay bishops and authorizing blessing rites for same-sex unions.

The primates also said the Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch, should set up a new system to deal with breakaway conservatives. The new system would include a council of foreign Anglican and American leaders and a "primatial vicar" to take the place of Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori in ministering to dissident conservatives. the rest