Church of England gives OK to Anglican covenant
The Church of England, defying opposition from its traditionalist wing, has given its support to a global covenant aimed at keeping the Anglican Communion intact in the face of disputes over homosexuality and female bishops.
The Church's General Synod has voted its preliminary approval of draft legislation that could be put to a final ballot within two years. The draft now goes to dioceses for their consideration.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, who heads the 77-million-strong worldwide Anglican Communion, has tossed his full support to the proposed covenant, but conservative Anglicans have already stepped in to try to scuttle the project.
