“Gay Not A Disease,” Says Williams

The Anglicans in limbo this morning as conservative and liberal sides debate the place of the gays. Archbishop of Canterbury and Anglican leader Rowan Williams flew to New Orleans last week in an effort to bring the American Episcopal Church in line with the international communion.

Though most people remained tight-lipped on the two-day meeting, some details are starting to leak out.

In addition to called violence against gays “inexcusable,” Williams also leaned left when discussing his homo brethren: “I do not assume that homosexual inclination is a disease. Gay and lesbian people have a place in the Church as do all the baptized.”

Williams’ words won’t sit well with conservatives, who want the Americans to end queer consecrations. One man, Reverend Rod Thomas, lamented what he calls Williams’ poor leadership skills,

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.

The Americans vote tomorrow. If they decide to continue welcoming the gays, it may lead to a schism in the worldwide Communion.

Of the tense negotiations, Williams said:

This is not a very comfortable place to be. It is somewhat like the situation for soldiers in the First World War in the trenches — we can’t remember how we got here and most of us don’t want to be here.

Yeah, it sounds like you’re stuck between a rock and a gay place.