Anglican bishops have opened their once-a-decade summit in England, hearing a plea for unity despite deep rifts over the Bible and homosexuality that stems from New Hampshire’s consecration of the first openly gay Episcopalian bishop.
About one-quarter of the invited Anglican bishops are boycotting the Lambeth Conference, which runs through August 3rd.
The estimated 650 participating bishops will spend their days in Bible study and small group discussions meant to rebuild relationships damaged by the 2003 consecration bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.
Robinson and a few other bishops were barred from participating in this month’s conference.