Anglican primates said Thursday their global communion will be "put in jeopardy" if U.S. Episcopalians proceed with the consecration of their first openly gay bishop.
In a unanimous statement at the end of a two-day crisis meeting on their deep divisions over homosexuality, leaders of 37 national churches called on members not to react precipitously. But they appeared to concede that some parts of the church would cut off communion with the New Hampshire diocese or the whole Episcopal church.
They also called on Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams to establish a commission to study the divisions and report within a year.
Williams called the emergency meeting immediately after the General Convention of the Episcopal Church confirmed the election of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as the bishop of New Hampshire — over the loud objections of conservatives within the church.
"If his consecration proceeds, we recognize that we have reached a crucial and critical point in the life of the Anglican Communion and we have had to conclude that the future of the communion itself will be put in jeopardy," the primates' final statement said.
Robinson's consecration is scheduled for Nov. 2.