The Guardian: Williams disappoints God in not taking a stand, says gay bishop

The Rt Rev Gene Robinson, the Bishop of New Hampshire, USA. Photograph: Ian Nicholson/PA

God is "very disappointed" with the failure of the Archbishop of Canterbury to confront the Anglican communion's outspoken critics of homosexuality, its first openly gay bishop says today.

Gene Robinson, from New Hampshire, accuses Rowan Williams of failing to stand up to Christian traditionalists who denounce the bishop's life as an abomination of the Bible's teachings, and threaten the communion with schism for not shunning him.

As the first bishop to speak of having a homosexual relationship, following his election in 2003, Robinson has heard Anglicans describe gays as "lower than beasts". His most vociferous opponent has been the Archbishop of Nigeria, Peter Akinola, who likens homosexuality to "bestiality ... a form of slavery".

Asked on the BBC's Hardtalk programme, broadcast today, why Williams had not confronted them, Robinson replies: "You would have to ask him that - and I think he will have to answer to God about that. I believe [Williams's] unwillingness to confront Peter Akinola and others like him who've made statements that I think any reasonable person would find over the edge - I believe God is very disappointed in that." Read more
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