The worldwide Anglican communion has been brought to the brink of schism by the decision of the New Westminster diocese in Canada to authorise a same-sex blessings rite, along with the ordination of an openly homosexual bishop in America. Orthodox Anglicans in Africa and Latin America have demanded the suspension of Anglican churches that continue to flout biblical norms on issues such as homosexuality.

Observers and even the faithful often "think everything should be calm and collected, but that's not always the way the Holy Spirit prods and prompts us to go beyond what seems acceptable and normative. . . .

"Some of the law needs to be kept, but not all of the law needs to be kept," he said, apparently referring to the recent struggle within the Communion. "It's a victory for the diverse center," he said, to applause from the audience.

Such blessings, together with the U.S. church's ordination of a gay bishop, threatens to split the global Anglican Communion.

The first suggestion of that was the request made two months ago by Anglican leaders meeting in Northern Ireland that the Canadian church and the U.S. Episcopal Church stay away from the Anglican Consultative Council.

It was a meeting at which a large number of ecumenical delegates were present, so it was not possible to speak in any great depth. But the Pope and myself were able to exchange a few words, and promised to pray for each other, at his suggestion, as we moved forward in our ministries.