"Pastors have awakened to the fact that this is a major cultural phenomenon that will present many opportunities to share the Gospel," said Al Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.

Denny Harris, director of ministry operations at McLean Bible Church, said special showings of "Passion" for members of the church and their guests begin Monday, two days before the film opens in 2,000 theaters nationwide.

Along with several other Anglican provinces, the CofE currently ordains women to the diaconate and priesthood. But when it began contemplating the consecration of women to the episcopate, traditionalists most notably FIF made clear that that change would render inadequate the current provisions for women priest opponents, which include a system of "flying" bishops (provincial episcopal visitors).

Rowan Williams told members of the Lambeth Commission on
homosexuality that a church faithful to the biblical revelation has to exercise discipline and draw boundaries if it is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus and not its own concerns.

Dr Williams said the problem was not simply about biblical faithful ness versus fashionable relativism. He said that there were pro found biblical principles involved and criticised those at both extremes of the de bate.