Gay Bishop Stands Ground, Endures Heckling

The gay bishop who sparked Anglican divisions said on Monday the head of the church must show firmer leadership and get conservative foes to tone down homophobic taunts. But Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the 450-year history of the church, remained convinced that the world’s 77 million Anglicans could still avoid schism. He also felt it was time for the church, whose leaders congregate next week for a once-a-decade conference, to stop agonising over sexuality and start ministering to their flock. Robinson, disappointed at not being invited to the Lambeth conference, called for a stronger stance from Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of the world’s Anglicans. Read more on this story at uk.reuters.com.