The Primate of the Anglican Church in Australia, Archbishop Philip Aspinall of Brisbane, said the mood within the Anglican Communion was one of reconciliation where the vast majority of them were seeking a middle-way to deal with the homosexuality issue that is threatening to break the Communion apart.
In an interview with the Religion Report, broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Archbishop Aspinall talked about the need to find a 'constructive step' to resolve the debate on the subject of gay bishops and the blessing of same-sex partnership, noting this problem could not be fixed instantly with one solution.
"…No-one is expecting a quick fix and once-and-for-all solution for all time from the meeting this week in the United States. Rather we hope that in conversation and prayer and mutual discernment, we might be able to see constructive next steps," he said.
Archbishop Aspinall is scheduled to fly to New Orleans this week to attend the crucial meeting, reported the ABC, where the meeting will start on Thursday.
The timing of the meeting is critical given the deadline, set by 38 leaders of national and regional Anglican Churches, is fast approaching with the U.S. Episcopalian Church being told to reverse course or face unspecified 'consequences' for failing to reply, reported the USA Today news publication.
The U.S. Episcopalian Churches were told they must 'unequivocally pledge' to end the ordination of another gay bishop and stop presiding over official prayers for another same-gender couple.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, has told the Daily Telegraph news publication that he was working very hard to stop the Communion from being torn apart.