Bishop John B. Chane of Washington, who took part in Robinson's consecration, told reporters at Washington National Cathedral he was sorry that "actions which were undertaken in good conscience, actions which gave hope to one alienated and marginalized population, have themselves engendered alienation and made others feel marginalized. . . . That was not my intent."
Chane said he would temporarily stop performing same-sex commitment ceremonies while the U.S. church engages in dialogue with fellow Anglican communions around the world. But he said he was "not going to be a policeman" trying to enforce a moratorium on same-sex blessings by priests in the Washington diocese.
Archbishop Robert Eames, head of an Anglican commission, holds the report criticizing the church's U.S. affiliate for consecrating a gay bishop.
(Dave Caulkin -- AP)
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"It still remains puzzling to me that no one objects to my baptizing the children of gay parents, blessing their homes, their cars and even their pets, yet I cannot bless the loving relationship which makes this family's life possible without upsetting so many of our Anglican brothers and sisters," he said.
The report consists of recommendations to Williams and the primates, or heads, of the Anglican Communion's 38 constituent churches, who are to meet in Ireland in February. The U.S. church will also weigh the recommendations at a meeting of its 250 active and retired bishops in Salt Lake City in January.
The report suggests that until the U.S. church expresses regret for its actions, the 53 bishops who took part in Robinson's consecration should "consider in all conscience whether they should withdraw themselves from representative functions in the Anglican Communion."
Griswold, who presided over Robinson's consecration, said he intends to participate in the primates' meetings. He said doing so would be "probably all the more important, not simply to defend myself but to be with my brother primates so, hopefully, we can move toward some form of reconciliation," he said.
Pittsburgh's Bishop Duncan said Griswold's comments would not help heal the rift with his opponents. "The question I pose to our presiding bishop is, in light of what he said . . . how in good conscience can he go on leading a church which has been called on to turn back?" Duncan said in London.
Duncan's Anglican Communion Network, which groups 10 U.S. dioceses and about 200 parishes, has threatened to create an alternative Anglican body in North America. In a few cases, these parishes have refused to accept the authority of their bishops, switching allegiance to like-minded bishops in the United States, Uganda or Bolivia.
The Rev. David Anderson, president of the American Anglican Council, said he doubted that "orthodox" bishops would heed the commission's call to apologize for crossing diocesan lines. "If your house is on fire and I have to break down the door to rescue your children, should I apologize?" he asked.
Cooperman reported from Washington.
