The Archbishop of Canterbury today called on American Anglicans to block the appointment of a partnered lesbian bishop. Dr Rowan Williams warned that the selection of a new homosexual bishop could push the divided Anglicans over the edge into full-blown schism.

The Archbishop spoke out after leaders of the Church of England’s sister church in Los Angeles chose 55-year-old Reverend Mary Glasspool as an assistant bishop.

He said the choice raised ‘serious questions’ and warned it was a threat to the ‘bonds’ that tie 77 million Anglicans together. Canon Glasspool, who lives with her long-term partner Becki Sander, acclaimed her election as a victory for gay rights. ‘Any group of people who have been oppressed because of any one, isolated, aspect of their person yearns for justice and equal rights,’ she said.

The Archbishop said: “The election of Mary Glasspool by the Diocese of Los Angeles as suffragan bishop elect raises very serious questions not just for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the Communion as a whole.”

Dr. Rowan Williams said that Canon Glasspool’s appointment raised ‘serious questions.’ “The process of selection however is only part complete. The election has to be confirmed, or could be rejected, by diocesan bishops and diocesan standing committees.”

Dr Williams added, “That decision will have very important implications. The bishops of the Communion have collectively acknowledged that a period of gracious restraint in respect of actions which are contrary to the mind of the Communion is necessary if our bonds of mutual affection are to hold.”

The Reverend Rod Thomas of the evangelical Reform movement in the Church of England said of the Los Angeles appointment: “I feel deeply ashamed that this is happening in the Anglican Church. I think a schism is absolutely inevitable.”

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