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Convening nationally for the first time in three years, the Episcopal Church has advanced on issues concerning gays within the denomination. Earlier this week, a resolution was passed by both of the Church’s main decision-making bodies that opened ordination to LGBT members of the clergy. The move was seen as a repudiation of the measure adopted three years ago that called for restraint for such consecrations. Effectively a moratorium, the decision sought to placate the schism that erupted in the church following the 2003 ordination of Gene Robinson, and openly gay priest from New Hampshire, as bishop. Since that time, conservative parishes and dioceses have broken away in a divisiveness that has reached the wider global Anglican Communion. Last month, a rival denomination was formed calling itself the Anglican Church in North America while repudiating inclusionary stances towards gays in the clergy. Nevertheless, as the national convention continues through today in Anaheim, the Episcopal Church is expected to come to a decision on another divisive issue regarding the creation of ceremonial rites for same-sex marriages in states where such unions are recognized as legal.

GUEST: Rev. Susan Russell with All Saints Church, President of Integrity, and a member of the National Religious Leadership Roundtable