Last month 3 major congregations in Southern California of the Episcopal Church of the United States (ECUSA) voted to withdraw from the Los Angeles diocese because its bishop, J. Jon Bruno, had participated in blessing same sex unions in church services. The congregations -- St. James in Newport Beach, All Saints' in Long Beach, and St. David's Church in North Hollywood -- said such actions by their bishop were unbiblical, immoral, and violating church law. In an effort to win the congregations back, Bishop Bruno has announced that he would stop blessing same sex unions, but he added that any priests under his jurisdiction could continue the ceremonies without discipline from the diocese. Bishop Bruno also called for a internaitonal church summit in Los Angeles that would include the African bishops who have agreed to accept governance of the dissenting parishes.

The ECUSA is the American branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The dissenting parishes have asked for oversight from the AnglicanChurch of the Province of Uganda.

Within hours, Bishop Bruno's offer was rejected by Ugandan Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi and his associate, Bishop Evans Kisekks. In a letter faxed to Bruno they said, "Our churches in Los Angeles came to us like children who were running away from home, and we have offered them a safe place to be. We will not relinquish them into a spiritually dangerous situation." The fax called on Bruno and his diocese to repent from "your participation in and promotion of unbiblical behavior and teaching."

For the full story: Bishop Willing to Sacrifice Same-Sex Unions for Church Unity.