From the Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The threat of a split in the worldwide Anglican family hovered over a national meeting of the Episcopal Church, as delegates considered whether they should preserve unity by temporarily barring gays from becoming bishop.

Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan, head of a network of conservative Episcopal dioceses that opposed Bishop Robinson's consecration, told delegates the progressive and conservative wings of the church should acknowledge their differences and part.

"We've reached a moment where it is very difficult, indeed I think we've reached an impossible moment, in holding it together," Bishop Duncan said.

You'll remember that our very own Bishop Duncan likes to hang out with rabid homophobes like Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria who wants homosexuals to be criminals, pure and simple. 

The Episcopals are in the throes of much turmoil these days in the wake of ordaining New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop.  The Archbishop of Canterbury had appointed a commission to examine the rift between teh American churches and the worldwide Anglican communion with the appointment of Bishop Robinson.  That commission called for a "moratorium" on future gay appointments.

In response, the American churches have proposed that they act with caution in future appointments.  They also choose not to express regret over the appointment, only over failing to consult with other Anglican entities. 

No one is happy.  Conservatives are waiting to jump ship over the issue.  Progressives call for careful wording and avoiding demonization of homosexuals.  

GENE ROBINSON, the first openly gay bishop in the history of the Anglican Communion, stood before 1,500 American Episcopalians and proclaimed: ?I?m not an abomination in the eyes of God.? The Episcopal Church should ?stand up for right?, he insisted.

Amen Bishop Robinson.  Amen.