His is not the only view to suggest possible fracturing in the conservative ranks.

Dr Williams was critical at the press conference of the 'alternative Lambeth', the Global Anglican Futures Conference scheduled for a few weeks before in June in Jerusalem in Israel. As Pluralist reported, there is some dispute over whether the bishop and Archbishop of the region, themselves conservartives, were adequately consulted. Dr Williams said he did not object to the meeting itself taking place: 'It is important to remember that on previous occasions, there have been major international gatherings preparing for Lambeth. I am very happy to see such regional events going forward. But I do have real concerns that in this case, there are unresolved issues for the local church in Jerusalem, which has pinpointed some anxieties about having such a conference at this time.'

Then there are the extraordinary developments in San Joaquin, a diocese which voted to defect to the Southern Cone, and whose bishop has subsequently been inhibited by the Presiding Bishop at the start of a legal action that will no doubt run and run, but where there appears from Dan Martins' blog to be less unanimity than had previously been thought. Episcopal Cafe has more and thinking Anglicans is also following this story. Episcopal Cafe is also reporting that Dr Williams has written to the Canadian primate saying he cannot sanction interventions in other provinces.

The debate is moving way beyond sexuality to... well not sure what exactly. Ecclesiology maybe? Sexuality will barely be on the Lambeth Conference agenda, and Dr Williams made it clear at the press conference that there won't be a resolution, although there might be a statement. It will be discussed for one day, although it will obviously be a subject of talk behind the scenes. On the prospect of Bishop Gene Robinson attending, Dr Williams said: 'Gene Robinson has not been invited to the Lambeth Conference. It is proving extremely difficult to see under what heading he might be invited to be around.'

Dr Williams accepted that bishops had the right not to attend. He made clear there would be no reversal, with invitations suddenly issued to Bishops Robinson or Martyn Minns. It became clear that the Windsor Report is standard, but that Lambeth will be a consultation and communication exercise of such a standing that it won't really affect anything if a quarter of the Church's bishops do not show up. As the conference is not a legislative or quorate body, he said, if a sbustantial number of people are absent 'it is not the end of the world.' No schism, he said. 'Sorry!'

Not sure who precisely he was apologising to there, but there was some bright news at the end. The Conference will carbon-offset. A strategy is 90 per cent complete. A programme of reforestation is to be embarked on to compensate for all those flights and cars carrying 600-plus bishops, their spouses and all the other dozens of journalists, clergy and other Communion acolytes to Canterbury for three weeks in July and August.

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