This process, expected to take until 2025, would involve consultation with every diocese and require approval by General Synod.

Bishops gave serious consideration to an alternative legal process which could have enabled special services to be authorised almost immediately - but temporarily -- (under Canon B5A). This would still have required a further process for the services to be authorised permanently (under Canon B2) by Synod.

During the following 24 hours (29-20 September) he spoke at the Wales Leadership forum. On the Friday evening he was interviewed about his own Christian experience and then he responded to questions from the floor.

On the Saturday morning he spoke on the theme of hope in a bruised and broken world. He based his address on the concluding words of Habakkuk inviting us to rejoice however difficult our circumstances might be.

Consider what the denomination's top officials now openly acknowledge:

"Our context demands that we must help the church to face and engage the reality of decline," Presiding Bishop Michael Curry candidly told the Episcopal Church Council of Bishops meeting virtually September 19 in his opening remarks. "This is not easy. The times are not easy."

If the Communion is restored, can it be made strong enough to face future challenges? How can it fulfil God's mission in a world hostile to God? What will be the best structure that can sustain the Communion and also ensure the autonomy and interdependence of its member Provinces? In order to respond to these important questions, we need first to stop and look back at the history of the Anglican Communion and how it moved from a strong beginning to the current failures and fragmentation.