Gagnon, associate professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and author of The Bible and Homosexual Practice said, “Genesis 2:18-20 refers to woman with the expression “as his counterpart” or “complement,” Hebrew kĕnegdô, where the component word neged denotes both similarity corresponding to (i.e. similarity on the human level) and difference opposite (i.e. difference as regards a distinct sex extracted from him).

Our discussion was careful, in depth, honest and reflected the full breadth of opinion that would be found in our church around this issue. In short, there was no strong movement to move beyond the present pastoral practice that has been the policy of our diocese for at least seven years.

Nazir-Ali said our understanding of Christian ministry in the Anglican Communion is in jeopardy. "The church is made by both the apostolic teaching and sacraments. Anglicans must not be turned into a preaching tabernacle. The Eucharist is a way whereby we are strengthened spiritually."

"What is it that the church needs so that the apostolic story can be told," he asked. "I think we need effective ways of gathering.

VOL: This “whirlwind of acrimony” has come about first by the canonically illegal action of deposing Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh and a number of other orthodox bishops in The Episcopal Church. It has been going downhill from there. What calm? Jefferts Schori has brought nothing but chaos to TEC ever since she took over. Frank Griswold, who hated acrimony and confrontation, ran in the opposite direction whenever he saw it coming.