primates

The archbishop of Canterbury indicated Friday that the Episcopal Church isn't on the brink of losing its place in the world Anglican fellowship, despite the uproar over Episcopal support for gay clergy. Anglican leaders, called primates, had set a September 30 deadline for the Americans to pledge unequivocally not to consecrate another gay bishop or approve an official prayer service for gay couples. Episcopal bishops have dedicated their meeting here to crafting a response.

V. Gene Robinson, whose consecration as the first openly gay Episcopal bishop has brought the world's Anglicans to the brink of schism, said Tuesday that the Episcopal Church should not give in to demands by the Anglican Communion that it roll back its acceptance of gays.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, is drawing up plans to officially expel the U.S. Episcopal Church from the communion over its acceptance of gays.

At an official meeting of church leaders this week, Africa's Anglican bishops have attacked their U.S. counterparts for failing to condemn homosexuality.