Madam, - Religious Affairs Correspondent Patsy McGarry paints a gloomy picture for Anglicanism over the potential split within our ranks caused by openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson's election three years ago to the diocese of New Hampshire (Opinion & Analysis, July 4th).
The Archbishop of Canterbury's latest attempts to maintain some form of unity seem unlikely to succeed. US Episcopals are divided and so are Anglicans generally, including the Church of Ireland.
My conviction is that the main issue is so basic that no compromise is possible. Does the Bible condone homosexual behaviour or does it condemn it as sinful? Are we bound thereby or not? Better by far to accept division for a while than to circumvent the main issue. Papering over construction cracks is never a good policy.
Jesus came to forgive sinners, which all of us are, but not to condone sin. Let us all, if we are Jesus's disciples, do our best to follow his example.
I am retired as an active C of I "Rev" but not as a disciple of Jesus. - Yours, etc,
TONY WHITING, Meadow Farm, Cloyne, Co Cork.