Primates of the Anglican Communion addressed sexuality and other issues in a pastoral letter from their meeting in Windsor, England, March 16. The 36 primates, who meet every two years, also spoke of leadership and world strife in the letter.

"Around the world serious questions relating to human sexuality are being faced by the church," the letter states. "The traditional response to these questions is to affirm the moral precepts which have come down to us through the tradition of the church. Nevertheless, we are conscious that within the church itself there are those whose patterns of sexual expression is at variance with the received Christian moral tradition, but whose lives in other respects demonstrate the marks of genuine Christian character.

"The issues are deep and complex. They do not always admit of easy, instant answers. A careful process of reflecting on contemporary forms of behavior in the light of the scriptures and the Christian moral tradition is required. We have to recognize that there are different understandings at present among Christians of equal commitment and faith."

The Most Rev. Edmond L. Browning, Presiding Bishop, spoke more directly, referring to homosexuals.

"For too long we have either dodged the issues or been unwilling to face up to them," Bishop Browning said. He added that homosexuals are tired of being treated as issues and wanted to be treated as people, to be brought into dialogue with the rest of the church. "I think it is an honest way of approaching it so that all voices can be heard and those people can be respected for who they are when they come to the table."

The Most Rev. Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh in the Church of Ireland, described the letter as "the typical Anglican approach to a very, very difficult problem."

"The theme of our meeting has been leadership as your servants in the light of the gospel," the letter states. "Advances in the ministry of reconciliation continue to open new areas of Christian calling and sacrifice. Our being together has strengthened our vision in Christ and renewed our desire to improve our structure, leadership and communication."

The letter mentions such concerns as the restructuring of the church for mission in the face of secularism and consideration of the Decade of Evangelism.

"Our leadership in the church is challenged by the denial of human rights, often leading to the displacement of people and the explosion of refugee populations, and by the persistence of poverty, racism, sexism and tribalism in the midst of political and human strife," the primates wrote. "The importance of building interfaith relationships is acknowledged and we abhor the growing fundamentalism in many parts of the world."

The letter mentions thanks for the "political miracle" in South Africa, urges that there be a "fair sharing" of Jerusalem, and expresses distress over the suffering in Rwanda.

"We also heard of the pain of the church in Burundi, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and the Sudan and commend these situations to your continuing prayer and support," the letter states.

Religion News Service contributed to this article.