Homosexual practice is "incompatible with scripture," said the bishops of the Anglican Communion in a resolution adopted during the last week of the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury. As the once-a-decade meeting wound down, 82 percent of the bishops took a conservative approach to the resolution. The final vote was 526 for, 70 against and 45 abstentions.

"Lambeth has spoken clearly and forthrightly," said the Rt. Rev. James Stanton, Bishop of Dallas. "The Anglican Communion upholds biblical Christian teaching on sexuality. This is good news for the American church and for our ministry in American society."

The resolution "cannot advise the legitimizing or blessing of same-sex unions, nor the ordination of those involved in such unions," and it also upholds faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union and believes abstinence is "right for those who are not called to marriage."

It also said the Lambeth Conference recognizes that there are persons who have a homosexual orientation, and that "we commit ourselves to listen to the experience of homosexual people" and that they are full members of the body of Christ.

The Most Rev. Richard Holloway, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said he "never felt this depressed and so close to tears. I feel gutted, I feel betrayed, but the struggle will go on."

Before the vote was taken, the Most Rev. George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, addressed the plenary session and endorsed the resolution.

"I see no room in holy scripture or the entire Christian tradition for any sexual activity outside matrimony," the archbishop said. He added that the resolution "is simply saying what we've all held ... Anglican belief and morality stand for."

"The willingness of so many American church leaders to try to legitimize homosexual behavior has foisted this difficult discussion on the worldwide church," Bishop Stanton said. "It has sapped our energy from urgent tasks such as evangelism and justice for the poorest of the poor."

Bishop John S. Spong of Newark said in a statement handed out following the vote, "Be assured that today's minority will inevitably be tomorrow's majority."

Resolutions adopted by the Lambeth Conference have no canonical strength, meaning they are not binding to the 37 autonomous Anglican churches, but they are an indication of where worldwide Anglican leaders stand.

A major reason for the one-sided margin was the strength of the African bishops, who composed the largest number by continent at Lambeth.

"We spoke for the truth," said the Rt. Rev. Henry Orombi, Bishop of Nebbi (Uganda). "We are quoting what is in the scriptures. Don't you forget that the church in America and the church in England took us the scriptures, and we are not reading anything different."

The Rt. Rev. Catherine Waynick, Bishop of Indianapolis, said, "I think we have chosen foolishly today, but I believe God is still reigning."

The Rt. Rev. Luis Prado, Bishop of Pelotas (Brazil), said it would be difficult for him to explain the decision to members of his diocese, particularly to young persons who are, he said, looking for a message of acceptance from the church.

The resolution also requests the primates and the Anglican Consultative Council "to establish a means of monitoring the work done on the subject of human sexuality in the Communion and to share statements and resources among us."

The following day, a statement was released signed by 146 bishops who pledged to work for the full inclusion of gay and lesbian Christians in the life and ministry of the church. Those bishops also apologized for "any sense of rejection that has occurred" because of the resolution. The signers of the statement represented 11 provinces, including the United States and Canada. Eight primates signed the statement, including those representing the churches of Canada, Ireland and Scotland. The signatories, as of Aug. 8, included 65 American bishops.

The statement calls on the Anglican Communion to continue or begin "prayerful, respectful conversation on the issue of homosexuality."

The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, was reported to have abstained from the voting on the resolution.

In another statement following the vote, Integrity, the organization for gay and lesbian Episcopalians, predicted more homosexual clergy would be ordained and "celebrations of lesbian and gay unions will continue."

Integrity also announced it would take part, along with seven other similar organizations, in a new inter-Anglican coalition known as the Alliance of Lesbian and Gay Anglicans.