"Being a Network parish in the Arizona desert, we felt somewhat distant from decisions being made on the national level," said Jane Allred, a vestry member and senior vice president of a major digital marketing firm. "Those decisions, however, still impact us, and they were not being actively discussed within our diocese. Life pretty much was cruising along as it always had for us.

Lay Episcopalians for the Anglican Communion (LEAC) listed in its letters five "distinctions" which make charges against Robinson and his consecrators "uniquely different from allegations in all past presentments."

He recalled changes within the Church of Ireland during this time with the ordination of women and the remarriage of divorcees. He also recounted his role in the wider Anglican Communion, as Senior Primate, and heading the Eames Commission on the ordination of women, the Virginia Report and the Windsor report.

He concluded by saying that much remained to be done in the seven month before he retires on December 31st. "I haven't gone away." he reminded Synod.

Williams believes voluntary euthanasia would undermine the care of the sick and dying. During the second reading of Joffe's bill this week, he will argue that the nursing profession opposes assisted dying and the majority of doctors feel it would damage their relationship with patients.

He tended his mother, Nancy, in "her last months of decline and dementia" and said: "When we see protracted pain and distress it stretches our compassion to its limits."