Anglican Church faces split over gay bishops row

THE Anglican Church was edging closer towards a split last night over the ordination of gay bishops and the blessing of same-sex unions.

US and Canadian Anglicans have been called on to voluntarily withdraw their representatives from the Anglican Consultative Council to create space for agreement between the conservative and liberal wings of the church.

Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams said there was a powerful will to resolve the problems in the church but did not rule out a future split.