Two meetings were called by Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning to discuss important issues to come before General Convention, TLC has learned. In early April, Bishop Browning called a group to meet with him at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City on the issues involved in implementing Canon III.8.1, the canon mandatory acceptance of the ordination of women. The following day, another group gathered at the same site to discuss issues of sexuality.

The two meetings apparently were called "to discuss issues that threaten to fracture the church," one bishop told TLC. They took place after several Anglican primates reportedly expressed concerns to Bishop Browning when the primates gathered in Jerusalem [TLC, April 13]. Bishop Browning was reported to have discussed the possibility of such meetings with some bishops when the House of Bishops met at Kanuga in March [TLC, March 30].

Four bishops who do not ordain women were among the participants in the meeting on ordination, along with four other bishops and two ordained women. Among the topics discussed were whether making the proposed canon mandatory would be a violation of Article VI of the Articles of Religion, and the assistance given to women seeking ordination in the four dioceses which currently do not ordain women.

The second meeting focused on ordination of non-celibate homosexuals and blessing of same-sex relationships. The Rt. Rev. John Howe, Bishop of Central Florida, and the Rt. Rev. Douglas Theuner, Bishop of New Hampshire, representing opposing points of view, presented papers, and discussions were held on each presentation. One of the points made at the discussions was that if General Convention adopts legislation that legitimizes such ordinations and blessings, there will be "extremely serious consequences both within the Episcopal Church and throughout the Anglican Communion."

Two of the four nominees for Presiding Bishop [TLC, May 4] were among those who attended the second meeting.

"In spite of endless claims about 'dialogue' in the past, this really was the first instance of genuine dialogue on either subject," said a bishop who participated. "The discussion was good, balanced, respectful and helpful."

Another bishop told TLC that the dialogue was helpful, but he wondered whether the meetings may be too late to prevent the church from "destruction."

Participants in the discussions spoke of the possibility of holding similar meetings with the Presiding Bishop-elect, following General Convention.

The meetings took place following widely circulated reports that a move had been made by some of the primates to excommunicate the Episcopal Church from the Anglican Communion. Reports indicated that a sizable number of bishops felt that the proposal for excommunication was based on the concept of core doctrine used to justify the decision of the Court for the Trial of a Bishop which dismissed charges against the Rt. Rev. Walter Righter, retired Bishop of Iowa, who ordained a non-celibate homosexual to the priesthood.