KIM LAWTON: In the Anglican tradition, those who publicly affirm their faith and want to be received into the church participate in a special service: the rite of confirmation. That ritual includes the laying on of hands from a bishop.At Truro Church in Fairfax, Virginia this week, 318 people were confirmed by Lord George Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury. Normally, Virginia Bishop Peter Lee would have presided. But 11 conservative local parishes didn't want him to do it because of his support for Bishop Robinson at last year's General Convention.
Reverend Canon MARTYN MINNS (Truro Church): The actions of [the] General Convention and the spill-off from that have caused a tremendous sense of alienation within the church, and brokenness, and that's felt right here in the Diocese of Virginia. Because of Bishop Lee's votes and actions, many folks felt ... a real sense of betrayal.LAWTON: Bishop Lee and the parish leaders agreed to a compromise and invited Carey to lead two joint services at Truro. Carey said his presence was a sign of reconciliation.
Lord GEORGE CAREY (Former Archbishop of Canterbury): I'm delighted to find a way in which we can show generosity to one another at a very critical time in the life of the Anglican Communion.LAWTON: In some parts of the country, divisions over homosexuality have already led to church breakaways and lawsuits. American Episcopal leaders said the Truro services show the denomination can hold together while accommodating members with differing views.
Rev. Canon MINNS: It really is only a temporary Band-Aid, because the views, in fact, are getting further apart. We need to be able to find a way to continue our ministry and mission without compromise. And I think right now the public stance and teaching of the Episcopal Church forces, for us, a conscience compromise, and that's a serious thing for us.
Rev. DOUGLAS: People are looking to the Lambeth report to give some kind of direction, some kind of indications as to how we will move forward as the Anglican Communion today. But I am afraid that even the wisdom of Solomon in such a report might not get us out of this mess that we seem to be in right now.
