Bishops discuss new ecumenical project, new obstacle

Published: 2003-11-13

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Catholic bishops heard and discussed two ecumenical reports Nov. 12 -- one on a promising new U.S. ecumenical project and the other on the new ecumenical obstacle posed by the consecration of an openly gay U.S. Episcopal bishop. Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett of Seattle, Catholic co-chairman of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, said the Nov. 2 ordination of Bishop V. Gene Robinson as head of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire has caused a serious rift within the worldwide Anglican Communion and poses a new obstacle to Catholic-Anglican unity. Bishop Robinson has been living in an openly gay relationship for more than a decade. Archbishop Brunett urged the Catholic bishops not to let that, or the recent decision of a Canadian Anglican diocese to develop a rite for blessing same-sex unions, "dim your interest" in ecumenical relations with the Episcopal Church or the wider Anglican Communion.

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