Story highlights Leaders of Anglican Communion, meeting in England, vote for three-year suspension from church bodies

The Episcopal Church's support of same-sex marriage in U.S. is at odds with Anglican doctrine

(CNN) The Episcopal Church, long the church of the establishment in the United States, has been punished by the international Anglican Communion over its acceptance of same-sex marriage.

The decision was made Thursday at a meeting in Canterbury, England, where leaders of the Anglican Communion's 38 provinces are gathered. For three years, the Episcopal Church will not be allowed to participate in many of the communion's internal decisions or represent Anglicans in meetings with Christians and other faith groups.

"Recent developments in the Episcopal Church with respect to a change in their canon on marriage represent a fundamental departure from the faith and teaching held by the majority of our provinces on the doctrine of marriage," the Anglican archbishops said in a statement. The statement was hastily arranged after news of the decision was leaked to the media.

Traditional Anglican doctrine, continued the statement from the church leaders, "upholds marriage as between a man and a woman in faithful, lifelong union."

Last June, Episcopalians voted to change their canons -- church law -- to allow same-sex marriage and adopted new wedding rites that can be used by straight or gay couples.

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