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The triennial General Convention of the American Episcopal Church () got under way today in Columbus, Ohio -- with the Anglican world waiting to see how the nine-day convention will respond to the Windsor Report's criticisms of the last convention's decision to approve the consecration of a gay priest, , as bishop of New Hampshire. (The picture here shows Bishop Robinson with his daughter, Ella, and his partner, Mark Andrews).

Windsor asked ECUSA to express 'regret' for challenging the integrity of the Anglican Communion by acting unilaterally in ordaining a gay bishop. But how will that call for a statement of regret be interpreted? Some ECUSA leaders believe it will be sufficient to apologise for the constitutional consequences of that action, while some Conservative campaigners want a clearer statement of repentance for the action itself.

Some useful links for those wishing to follow developments in Columbus: official news service; , the self-styled "voice for global orthodox Anglicanism"; , a pro-gay Anglican site; and the Communion official website. The best blog for the General Convention I am aware of is .

Those looking for a beginners' guide to the Windsor Report may find this strip helpful (and hilarious).

Incidentally, at the opening press conference today in Columbus, ECUSA's media chief asked the press to refer to the province as the Episcopal Church rather than ECUSA. Perhaps they were nervous that ECUSA might sound a little like j'accuse -- who knows? In any case, I think I'm right in saying that the official title of the Episcopal Church is actually the "Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America." I suppose we should be glad not to have to report on developments in .