For the first time in history, the nation's 23 bishops will join the five archbishops as real contenders to be titular head of the nation's 3.8million Anglicans.

The 47 members of a board to elect the new primate will be chosen at the General Synod meeting in October.

The result of their deliberations is impossible to predict. But authoritative sources have told The Australian there are three main candidates for primate.

The professor's comments were made during an unreported debate last week on sex selection, which was held as part of the Commons Science and Technology Committee's consultation on human reproductive technologies.

Prof Harris, who is also a professor of bioethics at the University of Manchester, was asked what moral status he accorded an embryo and he endorsed infanticide in cases of a child carrying a genetic disorder that remained undetected during pregnancy.

"I think there's still a feeling that that's (all happening) back east and we're here in East Texas," the Rev. Hickman said. "We'll see what happens."

The fallout continues from the national church's election last summer of an openly homosexual clergyman. A conservative branch of the church has expressed opposition over the election of Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, leaving in its wake talk of a split in the church.

Dr. McVety has heard from Clergy across the country on this issue. "I
have had numerous calls and visits from Pastors who are afraid they are next in line as the government invades the religious territory of
marriage". The Director of the Evangelical Association seems to concur.
Dr. Thomas stated "It is only a matter of time until the government
decrees that others who perform marriages must Do them or quit".