Sad news for those of us who are Episcopalians. The governing body of the International Anglican Communion has decided to punish the Episcopal Church of the United States for its continuing endorsement of equality for women and homosexuals. Sad indeed.

What this means is that for the next three years the Episcopal Church has been suspended from participation in the Anglican Communion. And what that means, for nearly all Episcopalians in their pews, is nothing. Except perhaps sadness. And wondering why it has come to this regrettable point.

The issue here is plain. The Episcopal Church has in recent years affirmed its support for women as priests, for the equality of homosexuals in the church and for the sanctity of same-sex marriages. This is to my mind and to many other Episcopalians a very good thing. It is not universally endorsed, however.

The majority in the Anglican communion — and we’re speaking of a quite culturally conservative group of African Anglicans — are adamantly opposed to giving anything resembling full equality to women and homosexuals. They are morally repelled by same-sex marriage and women serving as priests. And sadly, they are on the wrong side of history.

The result of this disagreement is not going to be a change of heart by the Episcopal Church, in my mind. Instead, I hope there might be some compromise reached with the Anglicans, one based on acknowledgement of a common faith and a loving, respectful brotherhood, which will help them move toward acceptance.

I am, I need hardly say, no theologian. And there are many questions here I am not qualified to answer, among them concerns about the the ultimate authority of the Anglican Communion to take such actions. And whatever this may lead to, I am prayerful for an eventual resolution. But I am also fully comfortable in the direction of my Episcopal Church. There can be no going back, not should there.