The Church of Ireland Archbishops of Dublin and Armagh have said the election of an openly gay bishop in the United States poses a danger to the unity of the Anglican Church.
In a joint statement this afternoon, the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Robin Eames and the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr John Neill, said the recent election in New Hampshire "has raised grave issues for the whole Anglican Communion, of which the Church of Ireland is an integral part".
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The statement is referring to the election of Bishop Gene Robinson, although he is not specifically named.
The archbishops said there were deeply held views on the issue of homosexuality in the Church of Ireland and that there were serious implications concerning the use of the Bible to be addressed.
They noted that the House of Bishops here has been involved in a study of the issue of same-sex relationships and hopes "in due course" to issue a discussion document to facilitate wider study throughout the Church of Ireland.
"There are also many individuals with a real sense of hurt and alienation surrounding this whole issue," the statement said.
"For all these reasons it is important that this study takes place and not simply in response to events in the USA."
The archbishops said the immediate issue relating to the "danger" that the election of the US-based bishop presented for the unity of the Anglican Communion would be addressed at a special meeting of the primates in October.
"We regret the threat to the unity of the Anglican Communion caused by this election at a time when the Christian Church faces such grave issues in a divided world."
They added: "It is clear that what happens in another part of the Anglican Communion cannot change the Church of Ireland and that we have a duty to do all that we can to maintain as high a degree of unity as possible with those from whom we differ."
The archbishops said their prayer must be that God would "deepen our understanding" of these issues.
"In the past many issues have led to division between Christian Churches and that division has often crippled the mission of the Church. It is our task today, whilst differing on many issues, to maintain the communion to which God calls us," they concluded.