The head of the Anglican Communion on Sunday said that work will continue to bridge deep differences within the global fellowship, but he says it will be a lengthy process.
Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, spoke at the end of a five-day conference in Ireland's capital, Dublin, which was notable for the absence of several conservative African bishops who refused to join a forum which included the head of the U.S. Episcopal Church.
"The fact remains that two-thirds of the body of primates is present, and something like three-fourths or something more expressed their willingness to be present," Williams said.
The unity of the communion has been severely strained by moves in the United States to first appoint an openly gay priest as a bishop, and then by the elevation of a lesbian to serve as a bishop.
"Of course there is a critical situation in the communion. Nobody would deny that," Williams said.
"But that critical situation has not ended the relationships, often very cordial and constructive, among the churches of the communion," he added.
Bernard Ntahoturi, the Anglican archbishop of Burundi, said the absent archbishops had not withdrawn from the communion.
"They are still members of the Anglican Communion," he said. "Not attending physically does not mean that you are not participating in the life of the community."
Williams said the Dublin meeting worked to define the role and responsibilities of the primates, and he said efforts to repair division will continue.
"It's a long task," he added.
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