Anglicans seem set to split over homosexuality

A crisis over homosexuality now appears set to split the 70 million strong Anglican Communion, despite a show of unity at last week's emergency Primates' meeting in London, convened by the Communion's president, Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The crisis erupted after the blessing of same-sex unions in Canada and the recent election of the actively homosexual Canon Gene Robinson, who is divorced, as bishop of New Hampshire, USA.

In their statement on Thursday the Primates referred to the resolution of the 1998 Lambeth conference of Anglican bishops that it could "not advise the legitimising or blessing of same-sex unions nor ordaining those involved in same gender unions".

Two weeks ago, the Pope warned Dr Williams during his official visit to the Vatican that possible divergences over homosexuality would critically jeopardise the long-standing talks seeking unity between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.

The Primates' statement emphasised that "the wider Communion cannot support the recent developments for the blessings of same-sex unions or the election of Canon Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire. Indeed, the ministry of Gene Robinson as a bishop will not be recognised or received in the vast majority of the Anglican world... If his consecration proceeds, we recognise that we have reached a crucial and critical point in the life of the Anglican Communion, and we have to conclude that the future of the Communion itself will be put in jeopardy."

However, the two million member Episcopalian Church of the USA subsequently confirmed Robinson's forthcoming consecration on November 2, "believing that God has called him to his ministry".

Dr Williams emphasised to the BBC on Friday that due to the Communion's structure, a loose federation of 38 independent Anglican churches, respect for the Lambeth conference resolutions or last week's Primates' statement could not be enforced on the US church.

"There is a huge crisis looming," he stated. If the consecration takes place there may be a number of provinces who will declare outright that they are not in the union in the long run ... [and] others which would wish to continue with an impaired state of relations."

Departing provinces could include several in Africa, Asia and Latin America, where the majority of Anglicans reside, according to a number of sources.