Homosexuality not a 'disease', says Archbishop
23 Sept 2007- UK- Dr
Williams's support for gays will fuel anger among conservative Church members
who will see his message of support as direct challenge to their deeply held
view that homosexuality is a sin.
In his address to a key -gathering of 159
American bishops in New Orleans, the Archbishop insisted: "I do not assume that
homosexual inclination is a disease."
Warning that "violence against gay and lesbian
people is inexcusable," he added: "Gay and lesbian people have a place in the
Church as do all the baptised."
Dr Williams flew to America in a last-minute
round of shuttle diplomacy to reconcile the warring camps. But his message of
support for homosexual rights will be seen by religious conservatives as
confirmation that he has taken sides against them and that they are viewed as
the rebels in the Anglican Church.
American bishops seem certain this week to
endorse a greater role for homosexuals in the Church, in a move that could cause
the biggest worldwide split in the Anglican congregation, headed by the
departure of conservative African and Asian bishops.
Evangelical Christians around the world believe
that homosexuality is a sin that can be cured, a view emphatically rejected by
Dr Williams. He condemned homophobia and said that the roles gays could take
within the Church were being considered.
Dr Williams also said that the American Church
faces "no ultimatum" to end its stance on gays, which includes the ordination of
the openly homosexual Bishop of New Hampshire three years ago.
His words will force the African church leaders
to decide whether to leave the Anglican Church or accept that the American
Church cannot be forced to stop appointing gay bishops.
The Rev Rod Thomas, chair elect of Reform, an
evangelical group, said: "With firm leadership, a split could have been
prevented, but it seems that the archbishop has come down on the liberal side,
which means that fractures across the Communion and in the Church of England
will now almost certainly follow."
Earlier this year, a summit of Anglican leaders
gave American bishops until the end of the year to explain their position. "It's
been presented sadly as a set of demands," the archbishop said, adding that the
goal was "compromise".
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