AT FIRST GLANCE

In 2003 the well-known culture wars that had challenged North American life for a generation escalated dramatically. On August 5 of that year the triennial General Convention of the Episcopal Church confirmed the election of Gene Robinson, an openly gay man living with a partner, as Bishop of New Hampshire. The Episcopal Convention's action followed approval of the blessing of same-sex unions granted by the Anglican Church of Canada's Diocese of New Westminster in 2002, and the first instance of such blessing in May 2003. By that time the Church of England had come close to consecrating its first openly gay bishop when it was announced in the spring of 2003 that Jeffrey John had been appointed Bishop of Reading. But John's resignation of the appointment shifted the focus of the issue to North America. Though only one diocese of each church was immediately involved, the entire American and Canadian churches became embroiled and, in the eyes of some, responsible for the controversy.

The furor that resulted took global proportions, plunging the Anglican Communion into acrimonious debate. Amid indications that the church would split, the pace of events quickened. With public interest high the agendas of Anglican meetings shifted as the issue of homosexuality claimed center stage. Ominously no hint of resolution was forthcoming. The battle lines among Anglicans had been forming for years and seemed firmly entrenched.