LONDON, March 16 (UPI) -- The decision by Episcopal Church leaders to declare a one-year moratorium on approving bishops has won praise from the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Dr. Rowan Williams, head of the 77-million member worldwide Anglican Communion, of which Episcopalians are a part, acknowledged Wednesday the House of Bishops' decision at their Navasota, Texas, meeting this week, the Los Angeles Times said.
"They have clearly sought to respond positively to the requests made of them in the Windsor Report and in the Communique issued after the recent Primates Meeting. It is clear that there has been a real willingness to engage with the challenges posed."
Williams was referring to recent Anglican efforts to respond to the crisis that followed the Episcopalian Church's decision to consecrate as bishop an openly gay man.
The House of Bishops' move puts a moratorium on all bishop approvals, straight and gay alike.
However, Episcopalian leaders chose not to put a moratorium on "blessing" same-sex union, another pro-gay initiative that has brought the worldwide Anglican Communion to the brink of ejecting the Episcopalian Church.
