Episcopal church to affirm gay clergy      Robinson's election
brought the 77 million-member Anglican fellowship to the brink
of schism. Last month, breakaway Episcopal conservatives and
other like-minded traditionalists formed a rival national
province called the Anglican Church in North America.  To calm
tensions, the Episcopal General Convention three years ago
passed a resolution that urged restraint by dioceses considering
gay candidates for bishop. No other Episcopal bishops living
openly with same-sex partners have been consecrated since then.
"The constitution and canons of our church as currently written
do not preclude gay and lesbian persons from participating," in
any part of the church, said the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, on the
committee that drafted the statement. "These people have
responded to God's call."  However, the Episcopal gay advocacy
group Integrity, said in a statement Monday night that the
declaration "effectively ends" the temporary prohibition on gays
in ministry. Integrity calle