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(London) The leader of the world's Anglicans has called on Church conservatives to stop using inflammatory language against gays.
Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in a letter to the world's Anglican churches, said harsh language can lead to murder.
"Any words that could make it easier for someone to attack or abuse a homosexual person are words of which we must repent," the letter states.
"Do not think repentance is always something others are called to, but acknowledge the failings we all share, sinful and struggling disciples as we are."
The letter was sent to the Anglican faith's 43 self-governing churches.
The Church is in the grips of a power struggle between the right which opposes homosexuality and liberals who seek to be inclusionary. The situation came to a boil with the election of a gay man to serve as bishop of New Hampshire in the US and moves by some dioceses in the US and Canada to bless same-sex unions.
Traditionalists, led by the branches of Anglicanism in Africa have demanded that the Episcopal Church in the US and the Canadian Anglican Church be expelled from the denomination.
During a meeting of Africa's bishops last month in Nigeria the Chair of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa, Peter Akinola, described homosexuality as an "abomination" which contradicted the Bible and African values.
Meanwhile, in Canada, the diocese of Toronto voted Saturday to defer a decision on approving the blessing of same-sex unions until 2006.
The vote came five months after the Anglican Church of Canada affirmed the "integrity and sanctity" of same-sex relationships at a national meeting, but stopped short of authorizing blessing ceremonies for gay couples. The same meeting also decided to delay any national go-ahead on church blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples until at least 2008.
At a special synod at St. James Cathedral, the Toronto Anglican diocese voted to wait until the Primate of Canada's Theological Commission renders its report on whether the blessing is a matter of church doctrine, the diocese announced on its web site.
Two Canadian dioceses have already voted to approve blessings for same-sex couples. The Niagara diocese voted 213-106 in favor Nov. 17, but Bishop Ralph Spence withheld his required endorsement for the measure to take effect.
Bishop Michael Ingham approved same-sex blessings in the New Westminster (Vancouver, British Columbia area) diocese in 2002, after the synod there approved the idea for a third time, causing an international uproar.
Meanwhile, Canada's ruling Liberal government has pledged to legalize gay marriage nationwide. It is awaiting Supreme Court of Canada vetting of potential legislation. So far, seven Canadian provinces and territories have legalized the unions.
On Friday, Ontario's highest court ruled that survivors of same-sex unions are eligible for a national pension if their partner paid into it. It's retroactive to 1985 when the equal rights of gays were enshrined in Canada's constitution.
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