A commission of the American Episcopalian Church has rejected a proposed moratorium on the election of openly gay bishops, limiting itself to the declaration that henceforth the congregation would have to exercise “considerable prudence” in the choice of diocesan leaders who are cohabiting with partners of the same sex. The commission also recommended that the American church offer an act of “repentance and apology” for the controversies caused within the world Anglican Communion following the election of the gay bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson. The commission’s recommendations will be submitted in June to the General Convention, the highest legislative organ of the Episcopalian Church, which may approve them in toto , modify them or reject them. Last year, in February, the Anglican Primates had asked the USA and Canada for a kind of “moratorium” both on the rites of blessing of homosexual unions and on the consecration of any self-declared gay bishop. A month later, the American bishops had declared their “deep regret for the pain caused to others” but pointed out that they had no authority to impose any such moratorium on the dioceses.
