Presiding bishop asks church to set aside 'abundant disdain' for differences
By Russell Working Tribune staff reporter
September 20, 2007

NEW ORLEANS - In a morning Eucharist for U.S. Episcopal bishops gathered here, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori called for church leaders to set aside an "abundant disdain" for those who hold different opinions.

But as the church faces a deadline from international the worldwide bishops to respond to a call to stop ordaining gay and lesbian bishops, mutual respect may not be enough to ward off a split with the rest of the worldwide Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is a part.

"This is obviously a tremendously important meeting," said Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, who is moderator of the conservative Anglican Communion Network. "I wish my hopes were higher. the rest