Archbishop admits to Anglican strains as bishops meet
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The Archbishop of Canterbury admits there are strains in the Anglican church, but he has played down talk of a full-blown schism as bishops began debate in a once-a-decade gathering.
Rowan Williams says many followers have been "alienated" by a decision to press ahead with plans to consecrate women bishops,
Archbishop Williams also acknowledged the debate over gay bishops, but denies the church is heading for a split.
"Are we heading for schism? Well let's see. If it is the end of the Anglican Communion, I do not think anyone has told most of the people here," he said.
Some 650 bishops are attending the 20-day Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, south-east England, for an intensive session of worship, study and conversation.
However, the position of homosexuals and women in the worldwide Anglican Communion - which has around 77 million followers, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury - is threatening to cloud proceedings.
About a quarter of the communion's bishops, including most from Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda, are staying away, a week after the Church of England, the communion's mother church, gave the green light to women bishops.
- AFP
