LONDON -- The head of the global Anglican Communion is urging both sides of the fractured church to exercise restraint after the election of an openly lesbian bishop in the United States.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams says the choice of the Rev. Mary Glasspool by the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles "raises very serious questions" for the 77 million-strong Anglican communion.
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But he said Sunday that the election has yet to be confirmed and could still be rejected by the U.S. church. Williams called for "a period of gracious restraint ... if our bonds of mutual affection are to hold."
Glasspool is the second openly gay bishop in the global Anglican fellowship, which has been brought to the brink of a split by the issue of gay and female clergy.
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