MORE than half the leaders of the Anglican communion are planning to demand that Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, excommunicate the American church if it does not reverse its decision to appoint an openly gay bishop.

They are preparing to use an emergency summit of archbishops on the gay issue, which is to be hosted by Williams in London in October, to insist that the Episcopal Church of the United States be considered out of communion with the Anglican world, a decision that can be taken only by Williams.

The move will focus pressure on Williams, who has voiced support for gay priests but is struggling to hold the Anglican communion together over the issue of homosexual clerics.

Of 38 primates, 22 believe the appointment of Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire earlier this month was wrong. They argue that the only way for the American church to put it right is by cancelling his forthcoming ordination.

Gregory Venables, the conservative presiding bishop of the Southern Cone, the church in South America, will be at the Lambeth meeting and appealed for a late change of heart by the American church.

??The general opinion among at least half the primates or more would be for the States to recognise that what they??ve done is wrong and go back on it; the only alternative would be for them to be considered out of communion,?? said Venables.

??Some primates are hoping Rowan will come down on the side of the general opinion and say to the States: ??Either change or leave??. In our view, they??ve stepped outside the historic faith, so they??re already out.??

A senior Anglican source in London confirmed Venables??s assessment that at least 22 of the primates would demand the breach with America. Seven, including Venables and Peter Akinola, the Archbishop of Nigeria, have signed a declaration saying Robinson??s ordination would in effect break the American Episcopal Church from the Anglican world. Primates from South America, Asia and Africa plan to meet next month to prepare their move at the October meeting.

Anglican officials are trying to find a compromise to satisfy the conservative wing without bringing a full breach with America. One solution might be to ask Williams to declare he will not invite Robinson to the Lambeth conference of bishops in South Africa in 2008.

The pro-gay wing is also hitting back. The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement is asking David Blunkett, the home secretary, to bar Akinola from entering Britain in October on the grounds that he might incite hatred of gay people.

Additional reporting: Sarah Keenlyside

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