"The world of the Global South is riddled with the pain of political conflict, tribal warfare and bloodshed. The moral and ethical foundations of several of our societies are being shaken."

"Many of our nations are beset by problems of poverty, ignorance and sickness, particularly the HIV and AIDS that threaten millions, especially in Africa," read a statement by representatives of the Global South Encounter.

Financially, the church received more than $1.2B (billion) in donations and maintains investments exceeding $3.785B.

What does the "average" Episcopal Church parish look like? It has less than 100 members, has lost 10% of its members since last year and has an annual budget of barely $150,000.

Read the official 1 page statistical summary at the following URL:

As is probably the case with most of you, this step leaves me with mixed emotions: a sadness over a division, and a very public one, in the Body of Christ, as well as about leaving our facilities, but also-and I must confess this is the dominant one-a tremendous sense of relief and hopefulness about moving forward in ministry without the cloud of a continued identification with an apostate church.

Baroness Scotland, of Asthal, QC, admitted that "there are issues which we found difficult" and pleaded with peers to give her time to try to bring forward amendments at its report stage.

Opposition to the Bill, which has been led by an eclectic alliance including evangelical Christian groups and the comedian Rowan Atkinson, is likely to intensify after her admission of doubts within the Government over the Bill.