Curry's diocese is one of at least six among the nation's 108 U.S. Episcopal dioceses to adopt official, written policies allowing the blessing of same-sex unions. The Raleigh-based diocese is home to 121 parishes in Mecklenburg and 38 other N.C. counties.

Dr Hope was speaking shortly before the synod threw out proposals to introduce heresy trials for clergy who step out of line on orthodox church teachings. If the proposal had been passed, clergy or bishops who knowingly ordained a practising homosexual or who promoted or preached in favour of a gay lifestyle could have found themselves in the doctrinal dock and removed from their post, or unfrocked.

They also enable him to express strong views in gentle language. It is a
technique which allowed Downing Street to describe his criticisms of
government ('manipulating the media ... habitually repressing criticism')
as 'elliptical'. He could hardly have been more direct in his condemnation of the war in Iraq. At a time when mistakes are being admitted and errors of judgment exposed, didn't he think an apology was necessary. He does not.

Under the proposals, new heresy courts, headed by bishops and advised by panels of theologians, would hear cases in which priests were alleged to have erred on doctrine, ritual or ceremonial.

The Church of England has been rocked by a number of doctrinal controversies in the last century, notably that of the teaching of the former Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev David Jenkins, in relation to the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection.