Same-sex issue could split church: Archbishop of Canterbury

The spiritual leader of the world's Anglicans says an increasingly bitter disagreement over the issue of same-sex blessingsis threateningto divide the church.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams told a Toronto news conference Monday he plans to visit the United States in the fall to talk about blessing same-sex marriages and ordaining gay priests within the church.

"Division on certain subjects, especially sexuality, has been getting much more deep and bitter, threatening to divide us," said Williams. "My aim is to keep them around the table as long as possible."

Williams hasn't been to the U.S. since American Anglican leaders elected a gay bishop in 2003. The move caused a split between liberals and conservatives in the U.S. and around the world.

The U.S. church faces a Sept. 30 deadline to ban the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of gay bishops or face possible expulsion from the international communion.

Williams said the details of his visit arestill being confirmed, but he hoped it could coincide with a meeting of top Episcopalian leaders in September.

Canadian vote in June

Williams is in Ontario to receive honorary degrees from two different colleges at the University of Toronto Monday. He'll also attend a retreat with Canadian bishops at Niagara-on-the-Lake during his three days in the country.

His visit comes weeks ahead of a crucial vote by Canadian bishops on whether the Anglican Church in Canada should allow same-sex blessings.

Canadian Anglican leaders will gather in Winnipeg in June to vote on whether to bless same-sex unions and ordain openly gay priests.

The resolution is expected to pass, giving individual parishes the right to decide whether to offer same-sex blessings.

If that's the result, the Canadian Anglican Church could face sanctions from the worldwide Anglican authority.

Williams said he didn't want to comment on a hypothetical situation, but acknowledged such an outcome "will pose some problems."

Most conservative Anglicans believe homosexuality is a sin, but those who support the ordination of gays think social justice teachings in the Bible take precedence over the wider church's view on sexuality.

The issues have tossed the worldwide Anglican Church into upheaval;conservative bishops in Africa and South America oppose the changes. More than half of the Anglican Church's 77 million members around the world come from conservative African nations.

Church authority key question

Williams saidthedebate boils down to two overlapping issues: thequestion of human rights for gays and lesbians andthe theological limitations of church authority.

"The question is, really, what are the forms of behaviour the church has the freedom to bless," said Williams. "That is not a question that can be settled… by me."

Williams said he's hopeful dialogue can keep the church from splitting.

"An Anglican Church divided into liberal and conservative segments would be very ... impoverished on both sides," he said. "All would be the losers."

Last week,Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, the head of the Anglican Church of Canada, criticized Williams's handling of the same-sex issue, telling Britain's Daily Telegraph it was "disappointing and lacking."

Hutchison hadcalled on Williams to meet with American Anglican leaders.