"I believe that in fact that part of what we're looking at is the church that wants a sanction to go its own way without respect to the mind of view of others," he said.
Episcopal leaders have indicated that they will not go "backward" on their 2003 decision to consecrate Robinson and are further appealing Archbishop Rowan Williams, the Anglican spiritual head, for Robinson's invitation to the 2008 Lambeth Conference - a global Anglican gathering that takes place ever 10 years.
While the communion calls for the pastoral care of all people, including homosexuals, it does not support openly gay priests serving in a pastoral role. Anglican bishops are to live out in their own lives the teaching that they proclaim, Minns explained, and if they live in a deliberate contradiction to what they teach or to what the organisation they serve teaches, they are not effective. The Anglican Communion rejects homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture.
In an initial response to the Episcopal statement, Nigeria Archbishop Peter Akinola, arguably considered the most powerful Anglican leader, said it "seems clear from first reading that what is offered is not a whole hearted embrace of traditional Christian teaching."
"The unequivocal assurances that we sought have not been given; what we have is a carefully calculated attempt to win support to ensure attendance at the Lambeth Conference and continued involvement in the life of the Communion," he commented.
Some are hoping the Episcopal statement will make room for more dialogue to keep the Anglican family together, but conservatives believe they're at the end of lobbying back and forth as they have been doing for the past decade.
"The meeting in Dar es Salaam basically said this is one last chance," Minns stated, referring to the gathering of Anglican leaders, called primates, in February, at which they drafted their ultimatum and warned that The Episcopal Church would face consequences for full participation in the communion if a response is not given "in good conscience."
With congregations discontent and "hurting" in The Episcopal Church and after some 10 years of meetings and still no movement, orthodox Anglican leaders said they can't remain silent any longer, said Minns.
"The reality of division is becoming clearer by the minute," he stated. "We need to move forward."
Primates who made the requests are now expected to respond to the Episcopal statement and acknowledge its adequacy or lack thereof.
