Eleven years ago this month, in the plenary session of Lambeth 1998 the bishops of the Anglican Communion overwhelmingly resolved that scripture taught 'faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union' and 'that abstinence is right for those who are not called to marriage.' The resolution went on to reject 'homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture.'

That resolution, now labeled 'Resolution1.10 Human Sexuality', is the rock on which the good ship Anglican Communion is now wedged.

In August 2003, almost five years to the day after the passing of Resolution1.10 the Episcopal General Convention approved the consecration of Gene Robinson. An action roundly condemned by the Windsor Report. But this approval was no isolated act of American bravado. It was symptomatic of the general trajectory of the American church. In my bible study group the morning after Resolution 1.10 was passed, one American bishop lamented that the resolution had 'un-churched' a number of his episcopal colleagues. This observation was reinforced when an American friend claimed he could identify at least eleven bishops in the official conference photo whose life style was at variance with the resolution.

Archbishop Carey who spoke passionately from the floor in support of the motion has now been replaced by Rowan Williams.

Williams has endeavoured to hold the Americans to account but it surprised no one when his entreaties on the first day of the recent General Convention were met by decisions to allow homosexuals access to all levels of ordained ministry and to begin work on liturgies for the blessing of same sex unions.

While Williams continues to hope for 'peace in our time,' Bishop Tom Wright has fired a broadside across the Atlantic.

Will the high tide of the proposed Anglican Covenant float the ship safely off the rock or will it swamp the ship?