The debate over homosexuality and the role of women in the church threatens to produce a schism in the worldwide Anglican communion.

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Under his leadership, the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion have been riven by controversies over women bishops and gay clergy.

BBC: Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams

Another cause of discord in the worldwide Anglican communion has been the election of an openly gay bishop and the blessing of same-sex unions.

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In the 80m-strong worldwide Anglican Communion, things are even messier.

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His potential appointment has also been welcomed by Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion and the current Bishop of New Hampshire in the United States.

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Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Dr Williams also revealed that the Church was drawing up plans to appoint a presidential figure to share some of the burden of running the worldwide Anglican communion.

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Pope John Paul has made a point of establishing a dialogue with other religions and other Christian denominations. (Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, is due to visit the pope this weekend.) However, he has still managed to offend or alienate many of them.

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Many members of the 70-million-strong worldwide church - known as the Anglican Communion - believe the Bible teaches that homosexuality is always wrong.

BBC: Many Anglicans believe the Bible condemns homosexuality