Anglicans 'forced to find clarity'

The Episcopal Church USA, on the verge of a split with its worldwide religious body over homosexuality, is being "pushed toward a decision by impatient forces within and outside this church," according to the group's head.

But other current and former Episcopalians in the United States are welcoming the ultimatum that the heads of the world's 37 other Anglican denominations are forcing on the American church. Together, the denominations make up the Anglican Communion, which has 38 national and regional member bodies.

Pro-gay Episcopal groups, meanwhile, have urged church leaders not to view worldwide Anglican unity as a reason to retreat from gay rights. Much of the undue pressure, they say, comes not only from domestic dissidents but also from Third-World Anglicans who hold more conservative views on homosexuality than their American counterparts. Read more