Anglican Protest on Gay Policy Rejected

NEW YORK —  The head of the Episcopal Church has rebuffed a protest from other national branches in the Anglican Communion over the Americans’ liberal policy on homosexuality.

In August, the world’s Anglican bishops voted 526-70 for a declaration that homosexual acts are “incompatible with Scripture.” But the Episcopal Church, the U.S. branch of Anglicanism, has allowed each bishop to decide, and several endorse gay and lesbian clergy and same-sex couples.

In a letter dated Feb. 26, the leaders of Anglican branches in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Australia, the Middle East, South America and Southeast Asia wrote Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold, asking all U.S. bishops to comply with the declaration.

Griswold replied that divergent opinions exist in the United States and other Anglican branches. “We therefore find ourselves in a process of discernment and ‘testing the spirits,’ ” he said. He invited the complainants to visit and talk personally with homosexuals and bishops who support them.