The Anglican world is about to be plunged into a new crisis over sexuality as the American Diocese of Colorado ordained an openly gay and partnered priest yesterday.Under terms agreed between member Churches of the Anglican Communion, there is a moratorium on ordaining further openly gay people, but Bishop Robert O'Neill (pictured) ordained Mary Catherine Volland, along with three others, to the priesthood at St. John's Cathedral on Saturday.
Ms Volland, who is a longtime resident of Colorado and partnered lesbian, was a candidate for ordination in the Diocese of Minnesota, but has been called to serve as an assistant priest at St Thomas Episcopal Church in Denver, a spokesman for the diocese said.
The Bishop had previously suspended gay ordinations out of respect for the internationally agreed moratorium, but has since said that he will examine applications on a case-by-case basis.
Traditionalists in the USA, and the worldwide leadership of the Gafcon traditionalist movement are likely to point to this latest ordination as a sign that the Episcopal Church is not interested in honouring agreements negotiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury to keep the fractured Communion together.
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(Source: RI)