The Archbishop of Kenyahas criticized the Church of England for its decision to allow bishops in civil partnerships, including celibate gay clergy, to serve in the church.

The Kenyan church says "it cannot be right" to let bishops enter into legally recognized relationships which "institutionalize and condone behavior that is completely contrary" to scripture affirmed by Anglican resolutions.

The Most Rev. Dr. Eliud Wabukala, who also leads a theologically conservative gathering of Anglican bishops, remarked on the impact of the decision on Anglicans worldwide.

He said that while the decision by the House of Bishops requires celibacy on the part of clergy in civil partnerships, "this proviso is clearly unworkable."

Archbishop Wabukala characterized the UK's Civil Partnership legislation as mimicry of marriage, "clearly designed on the assumption that such couples are sexually active."

"It is common knowledge that active homosexuality on the part of Church of England clergy is invariably overlooked and in such circumstances it is very difficult to imagine anyone being brought to book," he wrote.

"However, the heart of the matter is not enforceability, but that bishops have a particular responsibility to be examples of godly living," he added. "It cannot be right that they are able to enter into legally recognized relationships which institutionalize and condone behavior that is completely contrary to the clear and historic teaching of Scripture, as reaffirmed for Anglicans by the 1998 Lambeth Conference in its Resolution 1.10."

Speaking for the House of Bishops, The Rt. Rev. Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, said last week that the House believed it would be "unjust to exclude from consideration for the episcopate anyone seeking to live in full conformity with the Church's teaching on sexual ethics or other areas of personal life and discipline.