Bishop George E. Councell said the diocese continues to have differences on matters touching human sexuality, "but the spirit of respect and forbearance with one another in the midst of deep disagreement fills me with hope."

The diocese has been grappling with an issue that has caused dissent in the worldwide Anglican community, since the election of an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire in 2003.

More than three dozen congregations have since left the national church and aligned with African and South American branches of the Anglican Communion, according to USA Today.

None of those congregations are from the New Jersey Diocese, although Councell said some people have left the church over the issue. Others are waiting to see what happens at the church's general convention in June.

"My labor has been to work for reconciliation and mutual trust and respect," Councell said.

On Saturday, parishioners and clergy from across the New Jersey Diocese debated the matter, quoting the Bible to support views on both sides.

Several young people stood to defend gay clergy, citing the loving example set by Jesus. Others cited passages from Leviticus, calling homosexual acts "an abomination."

Dolores Mundy, 69, of Vineland addressed the crowd at the Cherry Hill Hilton, and told them she has a gay son. She said later that she is against the election of openly gay bishops.

"I love everybody who is gay," Mundy told the crowd. "But the church has a responsibility to adhere to the Holy Scriptures."

The Rev. Peter T. Manzo of St. Bartholomew's Church in Cherry Hill was among the sponsors of the moratorium resolutions. Voting against the moratorium would be like cutting the strings of a kite, he said.

"This may be the last convention of the Diocese of New Jersey as we now know it," Manzo said.

Several delegates asked the controversial resolutions be withdrawn because they were causing too much dissension.

The Rev. Terry Suruda, a deacon at a church in Matawan, said the welcoming resolution was necessary.

"Welcome is not a word that can be assumed," she said.

The Rev. Cy Deavours, a deacon at St. John's Church in Elizabeth, said he was pleased with the outcome. Deavours sponsored the resolution to welcome all people, regardless of their sexual orientation.

"I think it's a great advancement for this diocese," Deavours said. "I'm happy."

Mundy, the delegate from Vineland, said she loves the church and will remain an Episcopalian though she disagrees with the vote.

"I've been one since I was born," said Mundy. "I'll be one when I die."

DIOCESE AFFIRMATION The Diocese of New Jersey affirmed at its convention Saturday that it is a: ". . . welcoming diocese for all people, and that no condition or requirement, either overt or implied, based on race, gender, sexual orientation . . . be permitted for any church-related position or other program of this Diocese, including all clerical offices throughout the Diocese, whether elected or appointed, as well as all positions held by lay persons within any mission, parish or other organization of this Diocese . . ."

END