According to their initial press release, a primary goal is to head off apparent movement toward formal recognition and ordination of homosexual clergy.

Bishop Bashore's spokeswoman and Ms. Denman both said they expected the case to rekindle the debate about homosexual clergy when the general conference meets in 1988 in St. Louis.

The Vatileaks scandal is a scandal initially involving leaked Vatican documents, allegedly exposing corruption; an internal Vatican investigation purportedly uncovered the blackmailing of homosexual clergy as well.

The second group were from more evangelical backgrounds, and some found the presence of homosexual clergy unsettling.

He is even said to have considered quitting following the last conference in 2008, which was mired by boycotts, rows over homosexual clergy and challenges to the Archbishop of Canterbury's authority.

She is also critical of megachurches and is a high profile advocate of the ordination of women, homosexual unions and homosexual clergy.

They now also object to the ordination of openly homosexual clergy.

The ordination of women and treatment of homosexual clergy - both sensitive issues - may well cause rifts.

"But the largest portion of what's come to light in the last few months is a pattern of homosexual clergy not living their celibate promises."