Archbishop of Canterbury 'profoundly sorry' for comments on homosexuality

[ccharles000]

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams apologised today for statements he has made about gay people in the church.

In the last 12 months, Dr Williams has said that the gay "lifestyle" is at odds with the church's teaching. He also said that the appointment of lesbian Los Angeles assistant bishop Mary Glasspool was "divisive".

Addressing the General Synod today, he asked for unity between conservatives and liberals over issues such as gay clergy and female bishops to avoid a schism.

The Archbishop said: "The debate over the status and vocational possibilities of LGBT people in the church is not helped by ignoring the existing facts, which include many regular worshippers of gay or lesbian orientation and many sacrificial and exemplary priests who share this orientation.

"There are ways of speaking about the question that seem to ignore these human realities or to undervalue them; I have been criticised for doing just this, and I am profoundly sorry for the carelessness that could give such an impression."

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/02/09/archbishop-of-canterbury-profoundly-sorry-for-comments-on-homosexuality/

[closeupready]

1. I believe (hope?) this is a sincere apology.

If so, it's nice to hear someone who once supported discrimination backtrack. :)

[wryter2000]

2. I think this does mark change

The American church (Episcopalian) has been doing the right thing on GLBT issues for some time, although some parishes aren't happy about it. This summer, we resolved not only to state that GLBT members should function at all levels of the church hierarchy but that we'll perform same sex weddings. My parish already has done the latter.

As to women bishops, I have to LOL. The Presiding Bishop in the US is a woman.

The rub will come from the African church, which is much more conservative. Still, with guidance from the English church we may see real progress there, too.