A joint statement from groups working together in the Church of England

Openly gay Church of Scotland minister Scott Rennie has had his call to a parish in Aberdeen sustained by the Kirk's General Assembly last night, thwarting a campaign of "hatred and bigotry" against him, say thankful supporters.

The outgoing leader of the Anglican Church in Hong Kong has used the opportunity provided by a retirement address to urge dialogue rather than division on issues of sexuality currently raging across the 77 million strong worldwide Anglican Communion.

The future of the 77 million-strong worldwide Anglican Communion was complicated further last night (16 December 2006) with the announcement that two large evangelical congregations in the US have voted to break away from the Episcopal Church, primarily because of its decision three years ago to consecrate a gay bishop, Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.