Episcopalians Yanked From Anglican Committees

The Episcopal Church has been removed from Anglican committees that engage other Christians and debate doctrinal issues, a response to the church's consecration of a lesbian bishop, Mary Douglas Glasspool, in Los Angeles last month.

The Reverend Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion explained the changes in a letter Monday, according to Religion News Service:

"Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the spiritual leader of the communion, proposed the removals last month after Episcopalians in Los Angeles consecrated an open lesbian as an assistant bishop. Bishop Mary Douglas Glasspool is the second openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, after Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who was consecrated in 2003.

"After Robinson's consecration, all 44 member churches in the Anglican Communion were asked to abide by three moratoria: no more gay bishops, no official blessings for same-sex unions, no interfering in each other's provinces."