Episcopalian leaders are gathering in Utah to respond to a demand by global leaders of their church that they apologize for making an openly gay man a bishop.
The meeting Wednesday and Thursday in Salt Lake City is not expected to produce such an apology. Episcopal bishops are, however, expected to express regret for divisions that followed their August 2003 consecration of New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson, who lives with a male partner.
The bishops are coming to Utah to respond formally to something called the Windsor Report, which urges them to apologize for Robinson's consecration as bishop, stop ordaining practicing homosexuals and not create a "blessing rite" for same-sex partners.
That report also urges Third World bishops in the 70-plus million member worldwide Anglican communion, of which Episcopalians are a part, to stop offering alternative pastoral oversight to evangelical and traditional Episcopalians dismayed at their leaders' left-leaning theology and practice.
After the Utah meeting Episcopalian leaders will go to Dublin, Ireland, next month where they will defend their same-sex theology and practice -- even at the risk of ejection from their 460-year-old church home.