Gay Bishop Declines Official Conference Invitation

The gay bishop whose consecration threatened to destabilize the Anglican church has declined an official invitation to a once-a-decade gathering of the world's bishops and accused the Archbishop of Canterbury of cutting him "out of the herd".

Gene Robinson, of New Hampshire, said he would not be attending the Lambeth conference in a formal capacity because he felt he would be unable to play a meaningful or substantial role. Although he will still be present, he said the organizers had limited his participation so severely that their invitation constituted a "non-offer".

He told a spring gathering of the US Episcopal Church House of Bishops: "In my most difficult moments it feels as if, instead of leaving the 99 sheep in search of the one, my chief pastor and shepherd, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has cut me out of the herd."

Conservatives and liberals have accused Dr Rowan Williams of being indecisive on the issue of homosexuality and the church. He has also been under fire, from both sides, over the extent of Robinson's participation at Lambeth. Robinson acknowledged the predicament, saying he had "respect and sympathy" for Williams. He said that his attempt to attend Lambeth had started almost a year ago when the organizers rang him days before official invitations were sent out. Episcopal officials also pressed Chris Smith, chief of staff at Lambeth Palace, and Canon Kenneth Kearon, from the Communion office, to allow Robinson to take part in worship and study groups.

The London team rejected their proposals, however, responding with a counter-offer confining him to the Marketplace, a public area that will host fringe groups and commercial stalls, and one high profile event.