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Signs of a full-blown split between the Episcopal Church and most of the worldwide Anglican Communion appeared only days after the U.S. church’s General Convention refused to renounce the election of gay bishops.

The 2.2-million-member Episcopal Church would be reduced to nonvoting “associate” status in a proposed two-tiered membership policy for the 77-million-member communion that was announced June 27 in London.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams reached electronically across the Atlantic to express to Katharine Jefferts Schori, the first woman to be elected as presiding bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church, his “good wishes as she takes up a deeply demanding position at a critical time.”

Jefferts Schori, 52, the bishop of Nevada, was elected June 18 at the triennial General Convention of the Episcopal Church from a slate of seven candidates for the nine-year position. She was the only woman candidate.