The Diocese of El Camino Real rejected the Lambeth Conference's declaration that "homosexual practice is incompatible with scripture" at its 19th annual diocesan convention, Jan. 15-16 at St. Andrew's Church, Saratoga, Calif.

The convention debated three resolutions on homosexuality. Through a process of "careful and respectful deliberations" during a two-hour discussion, the convention agreed to reject Lambeth's decision and to form a task force to study homosexuality from a theological point of view. A proposal to consider same-sex blessings was tabled.

Before the discussion began, the Rev. William C. Cantrell, rector of St. John's Chapel, Monterey, called for a written ballot, rather than votes from the floor in the form of voice or show of hands. The request was turned down. Fr. Cantrell then asked for open-mindedness from delegates.

"We're not voting on whether or not Jesus Christ loves homosexuals," he said. "We're voting on whether or not to reject an opinion."

The convention approved a resolution regarding "socially responsible investments." Questions were raised about the effectiveness of the measure and the difficulties of extricating diocesan investments from ties to industries such as weapons manufacture, or tobacco and alcohol production.

"We need to be careful not to set ourselves up for hypocrisy," said Mary Blessing of St. Timothy's, Mountain View. Many of the people who come to the Episcopal Church work in industries around the Silicon Valley that "we may not support," she said.

In other business, the convention affirmed the traditional tithe as the standard of giving, adopted a statement allowing each congregation to strive to meet the "50/50" standard of giving on its own, and approved a $1.4 million diocesan budget.