Williams snubs U.S. bishop in church split

Dr Rowan Williams refused to invite American cleric Gene Robinson to the worldwide gathering of Anglican bishops next year.

It is the first time a consecrated Anglican bishop has been told he cannot join the Lambeth Conference, which has been held in Canterbury every ten years since 1867.

The conference - regarded as the faith's informal parliament- can make recommendations for Anglicans the world over but has no legal power.

In 1998, the conference voted to back a motion that gay sex is wrong and that active homosexuals should not become clergy.

Church leaders in New Hampshire in the U.S. ignored the decision when they consecrated Bishop Robinson four years ago.

Dr Williams's decision not to invite him underlines the divisions that are threatening to tear apart the 400-year-old Anglican network.

Liberal churches in the U.S. and Canada are at odds with conservatives in the Third World, particularly Africa, who demand Anglicans stick to a traditional view condemning homosexual behaviour.

However, alongside his decision to exclude Bishop Robinson, Dr Williams also refused to invite bishops from churches set up by conservatives in the U.S. who will not accept the leadership of gay clergy.

Among these is Martyn Minns, consecrated as a bishop in Virginia by the traditionalist Archbishop of Nigeria, Peter Akinola.

Dr Williams wrote to bishops: "I have to reserve the right to withhold or withdraw invitations from bishops whose appointment, actions or manner of life have caused exceptionally serious division or scandal within the communion."

Cannon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion - the umbrella body for the faith - said inviting Bishop Robinson would ignore "the very substantial and widespread objection in many parts of the communion to his consecration and to his ministry".

Dr Williams is considering inviting Bishop Robinson as a guest, which would deny him an official place but allow him to take part in discussions.