Instead, both women have found themselves embroiled in a churchwide dispute over same-sex unions, and, more to the point, what it means to be Christian.

"This is one of the hardest things I've ever done," says Rev. Privitera, her eyes clouded and mouth creased down.

The 59-year-old grandmother was an ordained minister for 19 years in Massachusetts before she married Ms. Haussman in 2004, and then followed her here in November.

Robert DeBroux, senior warden of the church, wrote to parishioners about the matter on May 3 and Miller met with members of the congregation on May 7.

The blueprint, which has been seen by The Daily Telegraph, was drawn up by senior advisers and approved by Dr Williams and Church leaders at a private meeting in March.

It is expected to form the basis of a "covenant" aimed at averting future crises over issues such as homosexuality, which has brought the 77 million- strong worldwide Church to the brink of schism.

It is apparent from the letter that the Archbishop feels your inhibition of Fr. Lebhar and the other five priests of this Diocese, and the subsequent lawsuit against the clergy and individual vestry members of Redeemer, were inappropriate and contrary to the protocol established by the Panel of Reference.