Church on brink of schism over gays

Outrage over the issue of gay bishops has left the Anglican Church on the brink of a split.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is said to be resigned to a schism. A meeting of the world heads of the Church has demanded the US and Canadian branches step down as full members of the 78 million-strong Anglican communion while they reconsider their position on homosexuality.

The US Episcopal Church endorsed the election of a gay bishop, Gene Robinson, in New Hampshire 18 months ago while the diocese of New Westminster in Vancouver, Canada, has introduced a service of blessing for same-sex couples.

The two branches will not be invited to church meetings until the next Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops, in 2008.

The church leaders concluded that the North American churches should step aside "to recognise the integrity of all parties", which Dr Williams hoped would buy time to heal the Church's divisions.