Anglican Primates gathered in Alexandria, Egypt, are reportedly softening their approach to a Covenant aimed at unifying the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Primates spent time on Monday discussing the draft Anglican Covenant, which attempts to balance the autonomy of the 38 provinces while at the same time committing them to a process of joined-up deliberation in the event of a dispute.

Acting as the meeting’s spokesman, Australian Primate Dr Phillip Aspinall told reporters that Primates were warming to the possibilities afforded by such a Covenant but also realistic about its limits.

“I sense a pulling back from language of ‘sanctions’ and ‘teeth’ and there was a discussion on whether that is appropriate language for the body of Christ,” he said.

“There’s a growing appreciation that what we are talking about is a framework for koinonia, fellowship, for communion, for relationships and if there is a failure in koinonia, the way that such a failure needs to be addressed is through further investment in koinonia, fellowship and relationships, not hitting people over the head with sticks.”

The Covenant would not be legally binding, he added.

"Each church is making a gift to the other participating church by agreeing to self-limit its autonomy and not proceed with divisive issues without consulting or entering into a conversation with a member church."

Dr Aspinall said churches that break the conditions of the Covenant would be barred from meetings.

The Anglican Consultative Council will draw up a new draft after the deadline for submissions from provinces on March 9.