Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in an interview with the London Times, stated that he favored the accepting of gay bishops, but indicated that the tradition was to insist on celebacy for them. See http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/archbishop_of_canterbury/rowan_williams_no_problem_with, html, http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/sep/25/rowan-williams-backs-gay-bishops, http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_124764_ENG_HTM.htm
Within the Anglican Communion, this will arouse orthodox fury and trigger liberal criticism (for not being prophetic enough). It has been reported that Williams passed on the question whether he would like to see the Anglican Communion get past this prohibition. I do not think sufficient attention has been given to the fact that he also said, "We’re in the middle of vastly difficult conversations about it, and I don’t want to put thumbs on scales." I would have expected him to uphold the reigning perspective in the Anglican Church as opposed to that taken by the Episcopal Church. Looking at this from a long range perspective, his reluctance to do so puts a slight weight on the scales in the Episcopal direction.
If I understand the current Anglican position, it seems unstable. Same sex relations are not condemned among lay persons. Heterosexual relations are open to the clergy including Bishops. But same sex relations are not open to Bishops. Progressive roads are sometimes forged by compromises like these.
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