Anglicans Discipline US Episcopal Church over Gay Marriage

The U.S Episcopal Church is now being suspended from any leadership postion within the Anglican community because of its acceptance of gay marriage.

The annoucement comes after a weeklong meeting to reconcile conflicting views over same-sex marriage in the church.

The Global Anglican Future Conference, which represents theologically conservative Anglican leaders worldwide, had sought sanctions against the U.S. branch.

David Virtue, with the Voice for Global Orthodox Anglicanism, spoke with CBN's Heather Sells about what this means for the U.S. Episcopal Church. 

The press office for the Anglican leaders in Canterbury said in a statement that there are "deep differences" over understanding of marriage and that the majority in the meeting "reaffirm" the teaching that marriage is only the union of a man and a woman.

The leaders called the Episcopal Church's approval of gay marriage "a fundamental departure from the faith and teaching" of the majority of Anglicans.

Episcopalians are temorarily restricted from any policy-setting positions for three years, while a task force is formed that will try to reconcile conflicting views over sexuality in the churches.