The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. George Carey, has written to senior colleagues throughout the Anglican Communion spelling out why he cannot accept the recent consecration in Singapore of two American priests as bishops.

In his letter, Dr. Carey, who is President of the seventy-million strong world-wide Anglican Communion points out that the consecrations last month breach Anglican rules and practice, and are therefore illegal.

Dr. Carey adds that he cannot therefore recognise the episcopal ministry of the two priests in the United States, John Rodgers and Charles Murphy.

The moves will be on the agenda for discussion next month when senior Anglican leaders gather for a week-long consultation in Portugal. Dr Carey also calls on his colleagues to use the opportunity of that meeting to work for a deeper sense of unity on potentially divisive issues, including human sexuality.

Dr Carey reiterates his personal support for the resolution on human sexuality at the Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops in 1988, describing it as a text around which the vast majority of bishops could unite.

Finally, Dr Carey expresses his belief that the Communion can emerge stronger from this current debate.

The full text of the letter can be found in ACNS Article 2037.