Speaking from Argentina after his visit to confirm 70 candidates in Rosemont, Pa. [TLC, Dec. 17], the Most Rev. Maurice Sinclair, Presiding Bishop of the Southern Cone, defended the crossing of provincial boundaries and suggested that the primates' meeting at Kanuga (N.C.) in March will be the last chance for the Anglican Communion to sort out its differences and avoid schism.

In an interview published in Church Times of Great Britain, Bishop Sinclair said he had been "pleased and appreciative" of Bishop Charles Bennison's invitation and hospitality during his Nov. 26 visit to Church of the Good Shepherd, which he said was made in order to demonstrate that the internal problems of the Episcopal Church were of deep concern to the entire Anglican Communion.

"I think we're just feeling our way toward what international decision making may involve, and we can't duck this issue," Church Times quotes Bishop Sinclair as saying. "There has to be a maturing in the use of Anglican authority. We're not in any sense proposing an over-centralization, or even legislative action above the level of provinces, but we must know what to do if provinces refuse the ministry of bishops who ignore fundamental resolutions taken at Lambeth."

Bishop Sinclair and the Most Rev. Drexel W. Gomez, Archbishop of the West Indies, are preparing a proposal about how the primates could and should take increased responsibility for holding the Anglican Communion together. Called To Mend the Net: Anglican life and order for renewed mission, the proposal was due to be released Jan. 10, and its authors hope it will spark constructive debate leading up to the primates' meeting at which it will be presented.

Not all primates appear to share the concern of the co-authors, however. A number are said to be increasingly annoyed by the time spent on the internal affairs of the Episcopal Church at the expense of what they see as pressing issues in their own provinces.

"Unless we do sort this out, it's going to limit or reduce our effectiveness in other mission issues," Bishop Sinclair said in response.