Episcopal leaders say the visit threatens to strain further the already fragile relations between their church and the rest of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

There is no certainty that Episcopal leaders will now comply.

How Bishop Jefferts Schori will sell the directive to Episcopal leaders is unclear.

It called for urgent action by Episcopal leaders, saying bishops who defy the Anglican Church on the issue can not "be fully incorporated" into it.

Duncan quickly became the head of a group of Episcopal leaders hoping to maintain conservatism within the denomination.

Episcopal leaders reject the criticism leveled against the church by congregations like St. Andrew's and some of the bishops overseas.

A retired Episcopal leader who for more than a decade was one of the strongest liberal Christian voices in New York City, he was 83.