Conservative Anglican leaders have opened talks in Jerusalem on the future of the Church with criticism of its leader, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Conservative Anglican leaders have opened talks in Jerusalem on the future of the Church with criticism of its leader, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Archbishops of Nigeria and Uganda attacked his failure to discipline the US Episcopal Church for consecrating an openly gay bishop in 2003.
The Archbishops of Nigeria and Uganda attacked his failure to discipline the US Episcopal Church for consecrating an openly gay bishop in 2003.
The 300 bishops are meeting to discuss the future of the worldwide Anglican Communion, amid fears of a split.
The 300 bishops are meeting to discuss the future of the worldwide Anglican Communion, amid fears of a split.
Many of them say liberals are rewriting the Bible to fit modern trends.
Many of them say liberals are rewriting the Bible to fit modern trends.
"The Communion is in a state of brokenness," said Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola at the opening of the Global Anglican Future Conference (Gafcon), which brings together conservative Anglican leaders, many from developing countries.
"The Communion is in a state of brokenness," said Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola at the opening of the Global Anglican Future Conference (Gafcon), which brings together conservative Anglican leaders, many from developing countries.
We want unity... but not at the cost of re-writing the Bible to accommodate the latest cultural trend Gafcom conference booklet
We want unity... but not at the cost of re-writing the Bible to accommodate the latest cultural trend Gafcom conference booklet
BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Piggot, who is at the conference, says the talks are in effect a rival to next month's Lambeth Conference - a 10-yearly gathering of Anglican bishops from all over the world.
BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Piggot, who is at the conference, says the talks are in effect a rival to next month's Lambeth Conference - a 10-yearly gathering of Anglican bishops from all over the world.
Many attending the Jerusalem talks have threatened to boycott the July meeting.
Many attending the Jerusalem talks have threatened to boycott the July meeting.
Our correspondent says the Gafcon delegates are also drawing up what amounts to a blueprint for an alternative Anglican Communion.
Our correspondent says the Gafcon delegates are also drawing up what amounts to a blueprint for an alternative Anglican Communion.
The traditionalist meeting is a clear signal to other Anglicans of their willingness to give up their links with Canterbury if that is what it takes to return to what they consider to be the Biblical values of the first Christians, he adds.
The traditionalist meeting is a clear signal to other Anglicans of their willingness to give up their links with Canterbury if that is what it takes to return to what they consider to be the Biblical values of the first Christians, he adds.
"We want unity... but not at the cost of re-writing the Bible to accommodate the latest cultural trend," a booklet issued by the conference's organisers said.
"We want unity... but not at the cost of re-writing the Bible to accommodate the latest cultural trend," a booklet issued by the conference's organisers said.
'On fire'
'On fire'
However, Archbishop Akinola stopped short of saying a schism in the 77-million-strong Communion was imminent.
However, Archbishop Akinola stopped short of saying a schism in the 77-million-strong Communion was imminent.
Our correspondent says the conservatives are angered not only by the US Episcopal Church's stance on homosexual priests, but also by the leadership of the Communion's failure to discipline the US faction.
Our correspondent says the conservatives are angered not only by the US Episcopal Church's stance on homosexual priests, but also by the leadership of the Communion's failure to discipline the US faction.
We don't agree with what happens in the Episcopal Church but this doesn't divide us Suheil Salman DawaniBishop of Jerusalem
We don't agree with what happens in the Episcopal Church but this doesn't divide us Suheil Salman DawaniBishop of Jerusalem
Archbishop Henri Orombi of Uganda was among those who called on the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, to take a stronger stance.
Archbishop Henri Orombi of Uganda was among those who called on the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, to take a stronger stance.
"We have been on fire for quite a while, and he just cannot leave us burning and delay. At what time will you salvage us?" he asked.
"We have been on fire for quite a while, and he just cannot leave us burning and delay. At what time will you salvage us?" he asked.
"Supposing another part of the communion begins to do something which is contrary to the word of God, how is it going to stand up and say no to that? That's my challenge."
"Supposing another part of the communion begins to do something which is contrary to the word of God, how is it going to stand up and say no to that? That's my challenge."
However, the Jerusalem conference does not speak for all traditionalist Anglicans, our correspondent says.
However, the Jerusalem conference does not speak for all traditionalist Anglicans, our correspondent says.
The Bishop of Jerusalem, Suheil Salman Dawani, had asked the organisers not to meet in the city, saying that many other traditionalists like himself would resist their the conference's approach to the crisis.
The Bishop of Jerusalem, Suheil Salman Dawani, had asked the organisers not to meet in the city, saying that many other traditionalists like himself would resist their the conference's approach to the crisis.
"We don't agree with what happens in the Episcopal Church but this doesn't divide us. Unity is at the heart of the gospel of Christ," Bishop Dawani said.
"We don't agree with what happens in the Episcopal Church but this doesn't divide us. Unity is at the heart of the gospel of Christ," Bishop Dawani said.
Are you a member of the Anglican church? What's your reaction to this story? Send us your comments using the form below.
