Don’t get me wrong.  It’s still a big deal–the US bishops gave up a lot of ground.  I still don’t think it’s going to be nearly enough to keep the Anglicans together, however.

That the US bishops have gone as far as they have represents a triumph for the strategy of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who addressed them in private on Thursday and Friday of last week. It is also a tribute to the leadership of the US Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori. Their decisions will come as a blow to gay rights advocates with the Church. A lesbian bishop is on the shortlist of candidates for another diocese, Chicago, and the decision represents an end to any hopes of her becoming the second openly gay bishop in the US.

Nevertheless, the US bishops also stated their “unequivocal support” for civil rights for lesbian, gay and transgender people. The bishops also intend to continue consecrating openly gay priests. But they described a “deep desire” to rebuild trust with the other provinces of the Anglican Communion.

“This is what we are called to in our baptism,” they said. And they urged Dr Williams to find a way to invite Bishop Robinson to the 2008 Lambeth Conference.