The arrogance of Schori et al is self defeating. To ignore the appeals of the vast majority of Anglicans around the world, including many faithful Anglicans in the USA will only lead to that branch of the vine cutting itself off and dying. So be it.

Fred Dagg, Wellington, New Zealand

There are all sort of weird things prancing around in our disordered human nature. It needs a good sort out by the purification Jesus recommends (Mt5.8). That puts ud in the right direction.

Father Bryan Storey , Tintagel, UK

Jesus built one Church; Catholic.
Matt 16:18. The Church is built on Kephas(aramaic for Peter), which means massive Rock. Jesus never spoke in Greek. Lk 10:16 The Bishops and the Pope speak for Christ and only the Catholic Church under the Pope who represents Christ on earth can fit this role. Jn 10:16 One Shepherd, One faith. Jesus is the ultimate Shepherd, but he gave this Chief Shepherd role to Peter in Jn 21:17"Feed my sheep, tend my sheep". Matt 16:19 Keys of Heaven given only to Peter. 1 Cor 1:10 There should be no divisions. Rom 16;17 Avoid those you create dissentions like Martin Luther, Henry 8th, Calvin & Zwingli, etc.
Jn 17:17-23 The Church must be One like the father and the son are one.

The Church was promised by Christ in both the new and old testament to be everlasting and that the Holy Spirit would lead Christ Church into ALL Truth forever. Is 9:6-7, Dan 2:44, Lk 1:32,33. Mt16:18, Jn 14:16. So, is Jesus a liar? No, he is not.

Come home to the Catholic Church.

AMDG, Seattle, WA

As an Episcopalian, living in the great USA southwest for the moment, the Anglican Communion has little day to day effect on my church life, nor indeed in my parish -except for the prayers for companion diocese' and parishes around the world. Our life will not change if TEC leaves or is pushed out. We will miss the ceremonial visits of Canterbury and our Bishops will miss the garden party at Buckingham Palace but not much more than that. If Akinola wants this division, I say, let him have it.

Willard Tice, New York, NY USA

The real issues here are: Rowan Williams, who supported gays and lesbians prior to his appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury, has since then become very wishy-washy on the matter and lacks true backbone, bowing down to the"god" of Nigeria; Akinola wants to see the Anglican Communion function as does the Roman Catholic Church with himself as the first Anglican "pope;" the Anglican Primates can issue ultimatums any time they wish, but the canons and covenants which govern the Communion are quite specific in that each province is independent and no one can interfere with the governance of each province; and lastly, people are forgetting that gay and lesbian people are also baptized Christians who everyday live out their baptismal covenant within the Body of Christ. Let us not forget that during any service of Baptism, all in the congregation vow to "uphold this (these) person (s) in their life in Christ." To deny this is to betray our baptismal vows and to deny God in each other.

Robert, Somersworth, NH, USA

The only colonialism going non is that of the arrogant US church that treats African Anglicans as if they are some backward second class group, that needs to be enlightened by the superior western liberals! In fact while the western church is dying because it doesn't believe anything anymore, the church in Africa is growing and thriving. It seems to mew that the church in the West has far more to learn from African Christians, rather than vis versa.

Andy Brown, Derby, UK

The word schism in the headline is not appropriate. The Episcopal Church severed its connection with the Church of England after the American Revolution and is only reasserting its independent status and tradition. Some have tried to inflate the Anglican Communion into something grander and more powerful than it has ever been or was ever intended to be, making the Episcopal Church look like the petulant baby who is misbehaving. The AC's attempt to discipline its American bothers and sisters shows the dangers of grand reaches for power in religious bodies.

Kit Kincade, Louisville, Kentucky

The Archbishop of Canterbury has no authority in this, our realm America. Enjoy our relationship with Africa, Canterbury, but learn to paddle backwards.

David, Chicago, USA

"Sin is sin. Not once in the Bible does it commend homosexuality. "

How does killing someone for committing the sin of homosexuality work then? Thou shalt not kill and all that.

Starling, Lancaster,

In answer to the a previously posed question-All one needs to be saved is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. On he question of bishops views-they are neither here nor there. What we need is to be obedient to the will of God, something which at times is less than easy. Sure, we will still be loved if we disobey but look what we're doing to ourselves and our planet! We are told in the Bible to refrain from sexual immorality-we didn't bother. The consequences; AIDS, paedophilia, women from poor countries hoping for freedom sold as sex slaves....in other words, we're on a slow boat to hell. There's a choice here: We can either continue as we are or we can change things. Love is a choice but love-real love is also sacrificial, that's the message of Christ's cross, if you fail to see this, tehn sorry but you've missed the point.

EM Hunter-Scott, Edinburgh, uk

There's a reason it's called 'third world'. "Church" of Nigeria, indeed... Grow up. I honestly feel sorry for the people whose lives are empty enough that they feel the need to take refuge in this comforting and proudly ignorant theology of a rightly bygone time.

David, Rochester, NY

Why is the church so obsessed with homosexuality? They don't seem to be bothered about anyone breaking the 10 commandments. It seems to be a tad on the obsessive side, if you ask me.

Starling, Lancaster,

It is all very sad. But throughout history individual christians and 'churches' have chosen to abandon the Faith and follow the way of the world. Let the American Episcopal Church, and those who think like them, go in peace. As Dean Inge said, those who marry the spirit of the age will be widows in the next.

Dave, Wrexham,

"The rest will follow--either to pentacostalism or to Rome. It is inevitable."
Mary Shelley, London , UK

Neither of those options are a bad thing -- too bad they aren't the only options. Many will fall to Calvinism, and theonomic, Rushdoony-esque Calvinism at that. The seeds have already been planted.

Cynthia, Shippensburg, PA

Incidentally, the Archbishop of Nigeria has approved the new laws there in which people whom merely associate with people 'known to be homosexual, or have homosexual tendancies' to 5 years minimum in a maximum security prison. Even sitting down for dinner with a gay friend, associating with a work collegue or seeing a patient in a hospital setting can lead to defamation, court and imprisonment.
Not, of course to mention the hanging recently of 5 youths who were found to be having a sexual relationship with each other.
How can Archbishop Williams defend this?
Not what I would call Christian behaviour.

Philip in Dulwich, London, London, UK

I pray for the courage of the American Episcopal church to withstand and not fold under the pressure of the Anglican Church which maintains a status quo of homophobia that surely must be an abomination to God.

john wall, pierrre, sd, usa

The Times' 'grey boxes' are generally a useful factual summary of a situation. Why then does the last sentence of Ruth Gledhill's piece call the Nigerian Archbishop 'orthodox'? If his views are orthodox then the vast majority of anglican bishops are unorthodox. Earlier Ruth Gledhill used the more accurate epithets 'traditionalist' and 'conservative' and these are factually correct without the implied value-judgements.

Humphrey Prideaux, Gosport, England

It would do well for both sides in this dispute to reflect on what it means to be "Christian!" This is a time, certainly, for cool heads to prevail and for the debate not to be driven by tha antics of schismatics in either camp.

Patrick , Charlottesville, Virginia (USA)

To the average Episcopal laymen, the Anglican Communion doesnt affect our daily life, so a split will not mean much to me. There will continue to be legal battles over church property - which I think clearly belongs to TEC - but beyond that, if it means full criticism of the archbishop of Nigeria, so much the better. One cannot understand how any Christian could support him and the tyrannical Nigerian government. He has not raised his voice against it at all. We pray for him.

Willard Tice, New York, NY USA

A national church in an international age? A church with too many clergy and too few laity? A church whose greatest base of support is agnostic? A church that isn't even sure of the divinity of Jesus Christ?

It's time as a Christian church is up. Maybe as a church for those seeking salvation by social inclusion effected by state omnicompetence. As far the rest, they'll join *real* Christian churches, either Catholic or pentacostal.

Mary Shelley, London , UK

Playing the "oppressed colonists" card may be very amusing--and, to be sure, it is worth a laugh or two--but the issue facing the Anglican Church is that its members in the Developing World are tired of being threatened with financial loss, threatened with personal attacks for being "backward," and generally threatened with a paternalistic attitude from the "Great White Fathers" in the U. S. and Canada.

James, Jacksonville, Illinois U. S.

Sin is sin. Not once in the Bible does it commend homosexuality. I also cannot recall when the God created a democracy to pander to peoples wants.

giles, Tampa, fl

Nothing new here. Hasn't the Anglican church just been making it up as it goes along anyway since it decided to split with Rome in 1536

Mark, northampton, England

I think that the AofC and the Primates hopefully have heard
enough and throw out the American and Canadian church.
JESUS is watching !

CWNEHRING, Chicago, Illinois USA

"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love". 1. Corinthians 13:13

Anon, Charlotte, NC, USA

Less of a schism and more of a welcome shaking up! The tones coming from the ECUSA House of Bishops are surely to be welcomed by thinking Christians on both sides of the Atlantic. Perhaps we can look forward to the day when some Church of England parishes, frustrated by their national institution being controlled by evangelical Christians, will seek alternative episcopal oversight by an American bishop!

Reverend Tim LEwis, Wainscott, New York, USA

since you all are such great christians i wonder what 1 corinthains 6: 9-10 and romans 1: 26-27 say?

Kumator Hagher, reading, UK

When I read that Richard Kirker states that the Bible supports Gay and Lesbian cultures then he has never read the Bible or if he has, he has never asked God for an explaination, as this is explicitly forbidden by God in his communications with Moses, amongst other passages in the Bible.
A true Believer should always ask God and then listen to God's answer and accept God's word and not follow after People who interpret matters to suit themselves.

Dermot Bailey, Kassel, Germany

Regarding the predictions of financial calamity for the African, S. American and Asian Churches if the Episcopal Church is removed or walks away from the Anglican Communion - I would like to share a most profound and brilliant quote from the current Anglican Bishop of Jos, Nigeria:

"There is no pile of money high enough that will protect me from the flames of hell!"

Well spoken, thou most good and faithful servant.

Michael Howell , Saint Petersbrug, USA/Florida

The truth remains - The word of God says that homosexuality is an "abomination". How much clearer can it get!
There some fundamental basic truths that must never be compromised. We cannot have God and on our own terms! To suite our own life styles or get bums on seats in church. If holding onto the true word of God means a break has take place with the Episcopal Church in America and its wallet than so be it. Christ teaches us to love each other, not love and embrace what you know to be sin.

LA, Maryland, USA

Yes, one does need to belong to one church. The Church of Jesus Christ(not LDS). This is the narrow-minded view that all true Christians must embrace. Christ Himself said, "Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." This is a huge statement because many folks believe that there are many ways to find God, but Jesus' very words dispute that.

Dan, Murrieta, CA

Contrary to the implication of the first sentence of this story, there is no “Anglican Church.” One of the causes of conflict within the Anglican Communion is the desire by many to convert a fellowship of churches into a single, worldwide church. The actions of the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops suggests that this program is destined to fail.

Lionel Deimel, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA)

As a commited Catholic, I've followed the coming Anglican schism with some interest...especially the 'leak' about a possible union with Catholicism, which brought out *huge* support for the C of E ! But who from? Judge this post for yourselt

"Sir, I am an atheist but I think the union of Anglicanism and Roman Catholicism is an awful prospect." [!!!]

So, we had a groundswell of support for the Anglican Church....from atheists, agnostics and folks who 1)don't really go to Church all that much and 2) are not sure about the divinity of Jesus Christ. This is not a great foundation for a Christian Church.

John Henry Newman, the most gifted English theologian since More, saw their was no "Middle Way" betw. Rome and Lutheranism and at great personal cost acted & became a Catholic.

The rest will follow--either to pentacostalism or to Rome. It is inevitable.

Mary Shelley, London , UK

Bishop Robinson was consecrated in 2003, not 1993 as reported in the article. However, this was one of the many straws that eventually broke the Anglicans' back. The unfortunate thing is both sides need to account for themselves and respect the other's position - which is not being done by the Bishops in the US or the traditionalists in other parts of the Communion. A compromise would keep the Communion together (which now seems unlikely) and would follow the fundamental tradition of the Anglican Communion - which is working differences out rationally and intellectually.

Adrian Allain, New York, USA

I think the Revd Dr Barry Craig is correct in what he says and I am sure that's how Christ would see it as well. Thank you for partly restoring my faith in Christianity - I just wish more men and women involved in the Church had similar views to you.

Stephen, London, UK

Ironically by exposing the church to such harsh scrutiny in the press and laity, it has been revealed as nothing more than smoke & mirrors.

Anglican beliefs are compromises based upon a wide plethora of views, and this whole argument stems from the fact that the African church is seeking to consolidate power within it's base by using the anti-gay message to batter the American church into submission.

60 million African voices will drown out the rest, and then realise just how much they need the rest only when it is too late. Orthodoxy is needed on scripture, but not at the expence of destroying the bonds that hold the house of cards together.

It will be better for the church to fragment, than allow a mono-dominant African church to hijack the 'truth', which is only as subjective as the person who spues it.

Rachel, York,

Does one need to belong to a particular church to be a SAVED Christian?

There is a universal church comprised of those who worship God in Spirt and In Truth and in the name of the crucified Messiah. This church is not under threat nor is it riven by schismatics or judgmental hypocrites.

Sorry to be so blunt but that is how it is.

Alan, Long Stratton, Norfolk England

Really, who cares. In the world of imitation catholicism, where catholicism has become irrelevant, it seems much ado about nothing.

Dante, Portland, Oregon/US

In a sense the dilemma of all Anglicans is what an international and cross-cultural Church can amount to. Built into the dilemma is the nature of authority within Anglicanism. At least the Americans have opted for democratic decision-making. This Anglican dilemma was concealed while its clergy in England came from a relatively homogeneous social order, and while its adherents outside England were in some awe of Canterbury. When political uniformity (the Tory party at prayer) has gone and colonial subservience has been rejected by the new attitudes of independence, there is nothing left except a traditional Anglican search for truth that is flanked by tolerance and good sense. It may have the weakness that Newman eventually saw in the Via Media but it has great riches within it. Rowan Williams opted for unity against truth. But they need one another. If Williams had called Akinola's bluff, the latter would not now have the profile that he has been given.

James O'Connell

James O'Connell, Ilkley, U.K.

So much for unity with the Catholic Church, if the Anglican Church can't even keep its own house in order.

No wonder the Catholic-Anglican ecumenists are in such a hurry, as you reported a few weeks ago.

Christopher Gillibrand, Brussels in exile, Belgium

If the churches do not stop trying to rule what goes on in the bedroom they will fall apart because this generation really don't care what the churches preach. As the "baby-boomers" leave this world, everything will change.

Robert J. Hopewell, Reno, NV, USA

If a minority of one persuasion are entitled to stand on principle, so are the majority of another. Let the Americans keep their money. The purchase of papal bulls/dispensations went out the window when the Anglican Church was formed.

This would not be a schism, but a cleansing.

William, Melbourne, Australia

I continue to hope for an outbreak of charity in the Anglican Church. Who can doubt that Gay and Lesbian Christians have faithfully served God and been examples of his love down through the centuries? To accord equal treatment to all members of the Body of Christ, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, etc., should by now be understood to be an obvious element of Christian community, not a risky experiment to be debated..

Rev. Dr. Barry Craig, Fredericton, Canada

Anglicanism, in its very nature, is a local church for local people. The American bishops are right to resist the nonsense of ultimatums from bishops in other countries who don't understand the demands of their own specific culture and local needs.

Also, they are just right.

Richard Haggis, Oxford, uk

Praise the Lord for the liberating views of the Episcopal Church! The House of Bishops' Declaration of Independence is most welcome on this side of the pond for sure.

One error in this article though, "The seeds of the present schism were sown when in 1993 The Episcopal Church consecrated the openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson" should read 2003, not 1993. Of course, we who supported Robinson's consecration don't really see it as very schismatic...

Markus, New Haven, Connecticut

Gene Robinson was consecrated bishop in 2003 not 1993.

Ray, Tampa, FL

Gene Robinson was consecrated in 2003, not 1993

Kendall Harmon, Summerville, South Carolina

Please recheck the date of the consecration of Gene Robinson. I do not believe that it was 1993.

R. Dunn, Ivyland, US/ Pennsylvania

Isn't the 'colonialism' accusation the wrong way round?

It looks like 'how dare these uppity Nigerians think they can tell us what to do. After all, we took them the gospel in the first place, and now they tell us they're sticking closer to it than we are'.

dbt, Bristol, England.

DBT, Bristol,

I'm disappointed to hear you use together the words 'anti-gay conservatives'. I would consider myself along the more conservative line, but I fully support zero tolerance for discrimination against those who identify as gay. However, as a Christian, the union of those of the same sex and the practice of homosexuality is not given as a model for us to follow in Scripture and so should not be modelled by those in leadership of the Christian church. Christ and His gospel is fully inclusive for everyone, including those who identify as homosexual. Our identity is ultimately given to us by God, and whether we label ourselves gay, straight or bi, we are also made in the image of God to be loved and nurtured according to His instruction given in the Bible. The issue that is dividing the church is not exclusively the issue that is apparently being debated (the discussion over homosexuality) but runs deeper to more fundamental issues of the Lordship of Christ and the authority of Scripture.

Gayle, Hitchin, England

The Americans telling the Africans to move on from colonialism, what cheek. They should take the plank out of their own imperialistic eyes. Here is the sterotypical ugly American reaction. We will do as we like and the rest of the Anglican communion can go hang or split up. We do not care as long as we get our liberal American way.

I am with my African brethren.

Graham, London,

God never indended same sex marriage. He created male and female. Humanity's rebellion to God, traced back to Adam and Eve is the direct result of all the pain and suffering we see in the world today.

Let these people choose their own path. if they want to go, let them go.

I believe that the financial situation will be solved. If the God of the bible they believe in is true, He sure should be able to help them out!

Ola, London, U.K.

Its very unfortunate that some people are trying to bend the biblical teaching for their own fresh desires. Therefore, if Americans can give money,committed christians shouldn't be duped by that. They must stand by original biblical teachings,if they are on their way to Heaven.

Willy, Kigali, Rwanda

I continue to be amazed at the British Anglicans siding with Nigeria in this dispute - it is disgraceful.

If I were a gay Anglican I would be very angry - you people need some new leadership.

Patrick ONeill, Tucson, AZ, USA

Gene Robinson was elected in 2003, not 1993.

Stephen, Jackson, Mississippi, USA

The Anglican & Episcopalian Church has become an irrelevancy, and these denominations, if not before, have now come unhinghed from any real theological doctrine. For all practical purposes these Churches are now forums for debating secular issues from global warming to gay and lesbians claims. Whatever residue they took when they left the Catholic Church is now in tatters. Simply dissolve!

Stanislaus Pulle, Thousand Oaks, United States

The American church was the very first national province to insist one could Anglican and still be independent. Following the founding of the American republic, a goodly number of the same men helped organize the American version of Anglicanism on the same lines as the nation, including two houses of government, the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies (NOT delegates!), action requiring concurrence from both Houses. Its constitution and canons, while eccelsiastical, will prevail in the resolution of any subject. The Presiding Bishop purposely has no jurisdiction but presides over the House of Bishops. If we indeed are to have national independence from the C of E, then let us have true independence and not an attempt to "interfere" from abroad, ala the days of Rome interfering in the affairs of the English Church.

Canon Kale King, WY-ret, Lowgap, North Carolina USA

I fully support the Arch Bishop of Canterbury in this matter

There is no such thing as marriage between the same sexes

Marriage is a sacred bond between a man and woman as mandated by God

Let these people go their own way

I am sure the financial situaation will be worked out if these people "go their own way"

Wes, Savannah, GA USA