Source: BBC News, Guardian (London)
God is "very disappointed" with the failure of the Archbishop of Canterbury to confront the Anglican communion's outspoken critics of homosexuality, its first openly gay bishop says today.

Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire, accuses Rowan Williams of failing to stand up to Christian traditionalists who denounce the bishop's life as an abomination of the Bible's teachings, and threaten the communion with schism for not shunning him.

As the first bishop to speak of having a homosexual relationship, following his election in 2003, Robinson has heard Anglicans describe gays as "lower than beasts".

One of the his fiercest critics is Archbishop Peter Akinola, chairman of the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa, which claims 37 million members.

Akinola has likened homosexuality to "bestiality ... a form of slavery".

Asked on the BBC's Hardtalk programme, broadcast today, why he thought Dr Williams had not held Archbishop Akinola to account, Bishop Robinson said: "Well, you have to ask him that -- and I think he will have to answer to God about that.

"I believe [Dr Williams'] unwillingness to confront Peter Akinola and others like him who've made statements that I think any reasonable person would find over the edge - I believe God is very disappointed in that."

A church official described Robinson's remarks as unfair, according to The Guardian: "The archbishop is nominal head of the communion and in a position of trying to work with both sides, rather than condemn one or the other. The church has said homosexuals can be ordained but asks they refrain from physical relationships. There is no place for homophobia in the church."

Robinson told his interviewer that he had received numerous death threats and he now wears a bullet-proof vest for some public appearances.

He suggested the current climate could lead to personal attacks. "The rhetoric of those who would gladly decide themselves as anti-gay certainly creates an atmosphere in which a person who might contemplate violence would feel more justified."

He added that language used by the religious right in the US against gay and lesbian people was "treating them - treating us - as if we are subhuman".

Full article: Williams disappoints God in not taking a stand, says gay bishop | World news | Guardian
Williams criticised by gay bishop | BBC News