Canadian Anglican Bishops have set up a system of ‘flying bishops’ to provide a model to prevent the worldwide Church collapsing under the homosexuality debate. The Anglican Communion has been close to splitting as deep divisions have arisen on whether homosexual relationships should be blessed by the church. The ordination of openly-gay Gene Robinson sparked a huge row in the denomination, one which has threatened the modern Anglican world.

The divisions that have formed within the 72 million strong Anglican Communion have still not been resolved however, despite the Lambeth Commission which was formed by the Archbishop of Canterbury to ease the dispute, releasing the Windsor Report in October.

Many American parishes have rejected the ordination of homosexual clergy and have broken away from the churches that support the action. In response many traditionalist bishops, a majority of which come from Africa, have gone to America to minister these parishes.

These unofficial “flying bishops” have completed numerous tasks to support the traditionalist arm of the American Anglican Church. Ordaining clergy, and confirming members of the church are usually tasks fulfilled by residing bishops, however, the works have joyfully been carried out by these travelling bishops.

In Canada, the Anglican Communion was further shaken when the New Westminster diocese in Vancouver blessed same-sex relationships in their church services. Another diocese in Niagara also recently voted to do the same, however, the presiding bishop has so far refused to ratify the vote.

Many parishes in Vancouver have rejected the blessing of same-sex relationships, and held that the extreme movement was clearly against biblical beliefs. They too have demanded ‘flying bishops’ be sent to the area to rescue their biblical beliefs.

Extreme liberal Anglicans have stated their belief that the Church interpretation of the bible should change to take into account modern day society. However, many traditionalists have stated that this very belief flies in the face of Biblical teachings and its promotion as the truth, which they say should be never-changing.

Canadian bishops have voted to allow ‘Episcopal visitors’ to intervene in the dioceses where same-sex blessings are being permitted. This overturns the decision made by Canadian bishops last spring to reject the flying bishops’ help.

The UK introduced similar measures ten years ago to allow parishes that opposed women ordination to introduce a traditional bishop to preside over those who refused to share the same views. This highly controversial action was criticised by many but halted a potential schism on the heated topic within the Church of England.

The Windsor Report, however, spoke out against flying bishops, as the Lambeth Commission was worried that they could inflame the dispute further.

The other 43 individual churches that make up the Anglican Communion are likely to keep a close watch on the success of the flying bishops, and see if they help to keep the liberal and traditionalist wings of the Church together.