In February, the leaders of the world's churches - known as primates - met in Newry, Northern Ireland where the endorsement of same-sex relationships revealed a deep divide between North America and the rest of the world that some say may be permanent.

One of the key concerns was the New Westminster, B.C., diocese's adoption of a motion in 2002 that allowed its churches to bless same-sex unions. The other was the consecration of an openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, the United States branch of Anglicanism.

Most Anglican bishops follow traditional Christian teaching that gay sex is sinful.

After the meeting, the Canadian church was asked to "voluntarily withdraw" its delegates from the international Anglican Consultative Council, at least until the 2008 Lambeth Conference.

But Hutchison offered no guarantees that he would oblige the appeal.

"It's a request, and I have said to you I don't take that as granted," Hutchison told the predominantly sympathetic crowd.

"I think it's entirely possible that our Council of General Synod will say, 'No, this is the most important consultative body of the Communion and our presence is enormously important, so we will be attending as invited.' And we are still invited. Nobody has uninvited us."

The issue has already caused a rupture among Canadian Anglicans. Rev. Ed Hird, an opponent of same-sex unions, has helped lead a breakaway from the Anglican Church of Canada.

Hird has said the primates have found Canada's stance "very harmful because it defaces what Anglicans have always taught."

Hird is now part of a group of 11 churches - eight in British Columbia and three in Saskatchewan - that have effectively left the Anglican Church of Canada over the issue and are now affiliated with the church in Rwanda.

The Canadian Council of General Synod will review its position in early May.

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