Anglican bishops say it is possible the church in Australia
could split over moves by the Sydney diocese to change the way holy communion
is administered.
The diocese is continuing to pursue changes allowing lay people to administer
the sacrament despite the move's defeat in 1999, during the tenure of the
previous archbishop Harry Goodhew.
A report will be put to the Sydney Synod in October which argues the change may
be possible through a loophole in New South Wales legislation, allowing the
diocese to act independently of Church of England laws stating only ordained
priests can administer holy communion.
The chair of the subcommittee on the issue and Bishop of North Sydney, Glenn
Davies, says the report will also be put to bishops in other states and other
countries to gauge their views.
"Part of the reasons against it is a view of priesthood which means the
priest is the mediator between the people and God and of course we don't
believe the Bible speaks that way," he said.
"What the rest of the Anglican community then does of course I can't
guess, I can't believe for a moment that it's actually ultimately going to
split