The headlines coming out of the Episcopal Church’s annual U.S. convention are stunning — endorsement of cross-dressing clergy, blessing same-sex marriage, the sale of their headquarters since they can’t afford to maintain it. The American branch of the Church of England, founded when the Vatican balked at permitting King Henry VIII to continue annulling marriages to any…

Dr. Rowan Williams is planning to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury by the end of next year – eight years early, London’s Daily Mail newspaper reported Monday. Rumors have been circulating that the 61-year-old Archbishop, who could remain in office until he is 70, feels the ten years he has served enough in such a demanding job —…

By PIET LEVY c. 2011 Religion News Service (RNS) An ocean away from the pomp and circumstance of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s nuptials on Friday, parishioners at Grace Anglican Church in Brantford, Ontario, will host their own royal festivities, complete with a free continental breakfast and traditional wedding bunting. “Lent (is) over, so it…

By PEGGY McGLONE c. 2011 Religion News Service NEWARK, N.J. (RNS) Former New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey — who famously announced he was “a gay American” when he resigned in 2004 — will not be ordained into the Episcopal Church priesthood in the near future. McGreevey has completed a master of divinity degree and worked…

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