Leading figures from both sides of the Atlantic , including the Canadian primate, Archbishop Andrew Hutchinson, then held talks last week to discuss their reaction to Mr Williams's comments.

The Rev Philip Chester, vicar of St Matthew's, Westminster , disclosed that they had met senior bishops in the American Church to explore ways of establishing a stronger network between liberal parishes. "Building closer ties with the American Church is the way forward," he said.

Among ideas discussed were the twinning of English and American parishes, and inviting more clergy from the US to come to England on placements.

There is also the radical possibility of an American bishop "overseeing" a liberal parish in this country, whose members feel marginalised by the imposition of traditional beliefs.

The Very Rev Colin Slee, the Dean of Southwark, said that there would be "civil war" in the Church of England if Mr Williams pushed through his plans for a biblically conservative "covenant" that excluded the liberal wing of the Anglican communion.

"We are on the brink of a breaking point in the Church of England," said Mr Slee. "Liberals have been tolerant and permissive of other points of view and what they have to realise is that their liberality must be defended.

"I think we'll see over the next three or four years liberals worldwide beginning to work together to defend the true Anglican heart, which is broad, tolerant and generous and is under attack."

America 's Episcopal Church has been criticised for its support of homosexual priests in active relationships, but many parishes in England agree with this stance.

Rowan Williams predicted that the Anglican communion might have to split into a looser federation of churches, which would give a greater role to those able to agree to a covenant of shared beliefs.

Under his blueprint for a two-tier Church, many parishes that could not sign a biblically conservative covenant could be forced to look to liberal Anglican provinces, such as American and Canadian, for "oversight".

The Rev Jonathan Clatworthy, the general secretary of the Modern Churchpeople's Union , an Anglican theological society, said: "If we're going to be pushed to the margins and excluded, then that's what we'll have to do."

While conservatives are keen for Rowan Williams to act swiftly in censoring the Episcopal Church for defying calls to repent for appointing the openly homosexual cleric, Gene Robinson, as bishop, it could be years before a covenant is drawn up. A spokesman for Lambeth Palace said: "People are bound to want to work out what the changing situation in the Anglican communion will mean. However, many years of hard work lie ahead and it is far too early to come to any developed conclusions."

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