BRITAIN: The Archbishop of Canterbury has told conservatives in the Anglican Communion to refrain from using hostile words about homosexuals.
In a letter to primates of the world's Anglican churches, Dr Rowan Williams warned such language could lead to suicide or even murder. He called for repentance from those who condemned homosexuality amid the the church's ongoing row about the ordination of gay bishops, reported the Sunday Times.
His 3½-page letter warned of serious consequences if Anglicans did not heal their rift.
The letter reportedly says: "Any words that could make it easier for someone to attack or abuse a homosexual person are words of which we must repent.
"Do not think that repentance is always something others are called to, but acknowledge the failings we share, sinful and struggling disciples as we are."
He adds: "In the heat of this controversy things have been said about homosexual people that have made many of them, including those who lead celibate lives, feel that there is no good news for them in the church."
Last year Dr Williams gave his consent to allow gay priest Jeffrey John to be nominated as Bishop of Reading, but later persuaded him to withdraw after a wave of protest from conservatives. The Anglican world was split in June last year when the openly gay Gene Robinson was elected as Bishop of New Hampshire in America.
An Anglican commission, chaired by the Church of Ireland Primate of All-Ireland, Archbishop Robin Eames, recommended last month that the Episcopal Church (US) apologise for ordaining Canon Robinson and that it refrain from carrying out similar actions again until consensus on the issue of gay clergy is arrived at in the broader Anglican Communion internationally.