Archbishops to boycott meeting

A meeting of the world’s Anglican leaders in Dublin is expected to be boycotted by up to seven archbishops who oppose the ordination of gay and lesbian bishops.

The meeting gets under way at the Emmaus Retreat Centre in Swords later today.

The seven archbishops are protesting at the presence of the head of the American Episcopal Church at the meeting.

Her church has recently defied other Anglican churches by ordaining a lesbian bishop, and authorising services for the blessing of same-sex relationships.

The Dublin meeting is of the 38 leaders, or primates, of autonomous Anglican churches around the world.