Much attention has been given to the tempest and fury coming from anti-gay elements within the Anglican Communion. The meeting of conservative primates and their declarations and demands have, at times, nearly drowned out the welcome that has been the voice of Anglicanism in many nations. So it is reassuring to hear words of inclusion from two bodies within the Anglican worldwide family. Last week the Belfast Telegraph brought report of statements made by the head of the Church of Ireland. While not yet calling for full recognition of gay couples within the church, Archbishop Alan Harper acknowledged that such ...

Well, you know me - I have no time for religion. Away with all that mind-numbing idiocy. Having said that, I do want to say that I thought that Rowan Williams got it spot-on when he said during the General Synod's debate that: "I am deeply unhappy with any scheme or any solution to this which ends up, as it were, structurally humiliating women who might be nominated to the episcopate." Amen to that. What staggers me is that there are clearly people - some of them women - who believe the exact opposite. It almost beggars belief - ...