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Archbishop of Canterbury Fears Coming Anglican Schism over Homosexuality

By Gudrun Schultz

LONDON, United Kingdom, January 9, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The head of the Anglican Church has admitted the internal dispute over homosexual clergy is accelerating towards schism, Reuters reported Jan. 7.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said he fears schism lies ahead, which he says would be particularly damaging to the church at this time.

“And because I am an ordinary, sinful human being, I fear the situation slipping out of my control, such as it is,” Archbishop Williams said in a documentary aired on ITV in Britain.

“I fear schism--not because I think it’s the worst thing in the world but because, at this particular juncture, it’s going to be bad for us. It’s going to drive people into recrimination and bitterness.”

Since 2003, a rift has widened between liberal elements in the Church and the more traditional majority over the inclusion of homosexuals in the Anglican clergy. The appointment of practicing homosexual Gene Robinson as the Bishop of New Hampshire triggered the growing split in the Anglican communion, with the strongest objections coming from Anglican leaders in Africa.

The appointment of Katharine Jefferts Schori as the first woman to head the US Episcopal Church has contributed to the divide.

“We can’t take it for granted that the Anglican Communion will go on as it always has been,” Archbishop Williams said in the documentary.

“Of course that’s unsettling, of course that’s painful for everybody, but there’s no way of moving on without asking the hard questions.”

The Archbishop will chair a crucial meeting in Tanzania next month, gathering with the archbishops who lead the 38 self-governing churches or provinces that make up the world-wide Anglican Communion.

Archbishop Williams is facing an increased onslaught of outrage from the Church of England, after it was revealed that more than 50 homosexual or lesbian clergy members have “married” in civil partnerships, the Christian Post reported.

See related LifeSiteNews coverage:

50 Homosexual Anglican Clergy Couples “Married” in Civil Partnerships
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/jan/07010305.html

Anglican Church of England Will Allow Gay Clergy to “Marry”
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/may/05053007.html

Anglican Bishops Group Formed Against Acceptance of Homosexuality in Church
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/sep/06092006.html

World Leader of Anglicans Acknowledges Massive Split Coming Over 'Gay' Bishop
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/oct/03101706.html

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