Why is this presenting issue Communion-breaking?

Wallace Benn  |  Features
Date posted:  1 Apr 2005
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The Church of England Primates have met in Northern Ireland and come to their conclusion (see front page).

What we need to ask at this time is why the presenting issue of the consecration of a practising gay bishop in New Hampshire, and the blessing of same-sex unions in the Diocese of New Westminster, is so important. And, granted its importance, is it important enough to break communion about?

Some will have doubts, even among those who take a traditional moral line. After all, we have allowed divorce and remarriage in the Church (to name but one issue), so why is this issue so different and so serious? Is not this an issue, like women’s ministry, about which we can agree to differ? Let me give you some reasons as to why this is so important.

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