Episcopal panel to examine gay rights
By Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News
October 11, 2006

The ongoing culture war among America's Episcopalians has spurred Colorado Bishop Rob O'Neill to create a task force to examine gay rights issues "in light of the changing landscape of our church."

O'Neill announced the panel during last weekend's state convention, in Denver, which he described Tuesday as a "positive experience," but which one prominent conservative priest/theologian said was marked by a "screaming match" as liberal and conservative forces squared off.

It became apparent that underneath the surface there is a deep, deep division," said the Rev. Ephraim Radner, a Pueblo pastor, Yale educated theologian and author of books on the future of the church.

Unrest, lawsuits and division have dogged the Episcopal Church USA since 2003, when it approved the naming of an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire and OK'd the development of same-sex blessings. the rest