The Most Rev. George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, has stated he cannot accept the consecration in Singapore of two American priests as bishops [TLC, Feb. 13, 20].

"Whilst recognizing John Rodgers and Charles Murphy as faithful and committed ministers of the gospel, I have to conclude that I cannot recognize their episcopal ministry until such time as a full rapprochement and reconciliation has taken place between them and the appropriate authorities within the Episcopal Church of the United States," Archbishop Carey said in a letter to the other primates of the Anglican Communion.

The archbishop pointed out that neither the constitution of the Province of South East Asia nor of the Episcopal Church of Rwanda, to whose primates the new bishops have sworn an oath of canonical obedience, has been followed. He also cited respect for diocesan boundaries, procedures for the appointment of bishops and collegiality of bishops as problems.

Archbishop Carey sent the letter to the primates in preparation for their meeting in Portugal later this month. He pointed out that the primates' meeting is consultative and has "no authority to impose our will on any province."

He also addressed "those who are deeply concerned at the direction in which some parts of the Communion are moving. I understand your fears, your worries and your frustrations. The Lambeth Conference resolution on human sexuality provided a text around which the vast majority of bishops could unite. It reflects the traditional teaching of the church and that is where my own belief and understanding rests ..."