NEWS Ndungane calls for dialogue on gay bishop August 5, 2003 CAPE TOWN - The head of the Anglican Church in southern Africa, Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, has called for dialogue and understanding on the "complex question" of gay bishops. "Adopting a hard-line stance does nothing to enhance church unity," he told journalists in Cape Town on Tuesday. "What we need to do is listen on both sides because there's hurt on both sides of the argument." Ndungane has just returned from the United States, where he attended the national convention of the Episcopalian Church -- the US arm of the Anglican Church. The convention has been marked by controversy over the proposed appointment of a gay clergyman, Gene Robinson, as a bishop. A final vote on Monday was postponed after it was alleged that he inappropriately touched a man and was affiliated with a youth website that had a link to pornography. Njongonkulu said that during the debates over Robinson, the primates of several provinces in the church had threatened a split should his election be confirmed. "With respect, this is not a helpful approach," he said. "Dialogue, listening, sharing stories and experiences are the ways to understanding the complexities of our humanity." Ndungane said questions were now being asked whether a similar situation to the Robinson affair might arise in the Church of the Province of South Africa, which he heads. He said the current position was that anyone, male or female, who was ordained a priest in the church was eligible for election as a bishop. "The sexual orientation of a person is not relevant. However, the CPSA requires that homosexual clergy live celibate lives." This was different from the United States, where Robinson was living with a male partner. The diocese of Cape Town already had one gay bishop, he said. Asked why his province insisted that only homosexuals, and not heterosexuals, be celibate, he said this was "one of the question being asked" and was being looked at in the CPSA's study of human sexuality launched earlier this year. Pressed for his personal view on the matter, he said: "Archbishops have no personal views: they reflect the mind of the church." "You're in a difficult position, aren't you?" commented one journalist. "Definitely, yes," replied Ndungane. "In my position you are damned if you say anything, damned if you don't." The CPSA embraces several million Anglicans in South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, Angola and the island of St Helena. The primates of several other provinces in Africa, notably Nigeria, Rwanda and Central Africa, have vehemently opposed the appointment of gay bishops. Twenty-four American bishops have signed a letter saying they will break from the church if Robinson is confirmed. -Sapa Related stories Episcopalians delay vote o church's first openly gay bishop Episcopalian church weighs confirmation of gay bishop Vatican to call on Catholic politicians to oppose gay marriages Vatican alarmed at growing legal acceptance of same-sex unions Vatican waging new offensive against same-sex marriage Conservative Anglican leaders internationally lobby against gays Christian group attacks "homosexual agenda" in Singapore Gay prelate who turned down bishop's post says he has support