The Rev Bonnie Perry, 43, is one of five shortlisted candidates standing for election on May 6. Her girlfriend of 18 years, Susan Harlow, is a professor of religious education at the nearby Meadville Lombard Theological School and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. The ratification would follow the choice of the gay cleric Gene Robinson to be Bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.

"What we're doing is joining a group of similar-thinking orthodox Anglicans across Canada," she said. "All we've done is basically state the same principles that we've stated all along, that we are in an impaired state of communion with our bishop and diocese."

Disinvestment Letter sent to Anglican Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Riah Hanna Abu El Assal

From a Christian friend

13 March 2006

Dear Bishop Riah

I am writing concerning the Church Synod's vote regarding disinvestment in companies trading with Israel, having just recently read your letter on the internet.

The Society hopes and prays that justice and humanity will prevail. British military involvement in Afghanistan, and indeed the deaths of many British service men and woman, will have been in vain if the new Afghan government implements legal penalties that are only worthy of a religious tyranny.

Church society calls on all Christians to express their outrage at this injustice and to do what they can to prevent Mr Rahman¹s death.