The World - News from Feb. 18, 1988

The appointment of women bishops could lead to the breakup of the Anglican Communion--the worldwide organization of Anglican churches, a group of 47 bishops warned. “We do not consider that the churches of the Anglican Communion have the authority to change the historic tradition of the church that the Christian ministerial priesthood is male,” the clergymen said in a statement released in London. Several countries belonging to the Anglican Communion have already introduced women priests, and the nomination of the first woman bishop is expected in the United States this year.