In a historic and controversial move, the Episcopal Church in the USA, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, has voted to remove the bar on priests in monogamous same-sex relationships from becoming bishops.

Five leading Church of England bishops have criticised the government's social policy, suggesting that Labour policy has led to the neglect of the most vulnerable.

Anglican bishops from Sudan, who are part of the meeting of the Lambeth Conference, have issued an appeal to Christians to stand in solidarity with the suffering people of their country.

Members of the Church of England's General Synod have been told that it is 'highly unlikely' that a vote to allow women to become bishops will be taken before 2010. In the meantime the UK Parliament will continue to be the only democracy in the world with places exclusively reserved for men.

Pressures from several directions may put disestablishment of the Church of England back on the agenda, say reports following the General Synod and concerns about the long term impact of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Sharia speech.

Two evangelical Anglican bishops have come out with contrasting statements on homosexuality recently, points out Mark Vernon. One recognises that the issue is about love, the other sees only rules, it seems.