The fortunes of the various denominations differed (see table, right). Whereas the average drop across the board was 15 per cent in the seven years since the last survey, in 1998, the Church of England declined by only 11 per cent. The fastest rates of decline were among Roman Catholics and Methodists; whereas the Pentecostal Churches showed significant growth over the period.

2. "I am surprised that we allow our agenda to be so dominated and driven by an inordinate influence from the United States. ......... It is hard to understand why we continue to act in response to the North to such a great extent, rather than making use of our freedom to concentrate our energies on the priorities of our own people and Provinces."

In particular, Ndungane dissociates the Southern African Province -- one of 12 Anglican Provinces in Africa -- from proposals to develop alternative church structures in America, and to sideline Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who will become Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in November.

A high, Gothic ceiling rises above. Out in the rows of hard wooden pews in the nave, a few parishioners kneel on pads worn from tens of thousands of supplications. Others wait for the formal start of the 10:30 am Eucharist service. The dress is reverent but not formal-some in sport coats, some in jeans, some wearing Sunday hats and dresses, most in slacks and blouses.