It's too late for Archbishop Vercoe to backtrack on his antigay words now, says the Auckland Community Church, the damage has already been done. In an open letter sent to Vercoe by the members of the church last week, the Archbishop was reminded that as the primate of the largest church in New Zealand, his words have an immediate impact. "Some of our congregation have reported incidents of deep distress among Christian gays who have held to the assumption that we all share equally in the love and acceptance of God," reads the letter. "None of your subsequent words of moderation will have any effect on that headline. "You spoke as the church and the result will be that more gay and lesbian people will leave. We will try to pick up the pieces, but you must be held responsible for the pastoral damage you have done."