The Episocpal conferenece of lay people and clergy has rejected a ban on gay Bishops at its annual convention in Ohio, the Associated Press has reported.

Anglican leaders from other nations had demanded the US Church stop ordaining gay Bishops. Their demand followed the appointment of Bishop Eugene Robinson.

Exceprts from the Associated Press article follow. The entire article may be read here. Byline:

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Episcopal clergy and lay delegates Tuesday rejected a demand from fellow Anglicans that they temporarily stop electing gay bishops, leaving little chance the proposal could be revived at a national church meeting.

Anglican leaders, angered by the 2003 consecration of an openly gay Episcopal bishop, had asked the Episcopalians pass a moratorium - at least for now - on homosexuals leading dioceses.

But in a complex balloting system, a majority of the Episcopal House of Deputies voted against a measure that would have urged dioceses to refrain from electing homosexuals to lead them. Conservatives said the measure stopped short of a moratorium, but supporters argued it would have at least signaled that the American church understood the concerns of Anglican leaders.