"We request that such a commission complete its work ... within twelve months," the Anglican leaders said in a statement after a two-day crisis meeting on gay clergy.

The summit was triggered by the confirmation in August of gay cleric Gene Robinson, who has a male lover, as bishop of the US state of New Hampshire.

The London gathering was called by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, spiritual head of the church's faithful, who number more than 70 million in over 160 countries. –Sapa-AFP

PHOTO: The presiding Archbishop of the Episcopal Church USA, Frank Griswald (C), answers questions from the press 16 October 2003 at Church House in London during statements from the Primates of the Anglican Communion, while Archbishop of the West Indies Drexel Gomez (L) and Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams (R) look on. The world's Anglican leaders held an emergency summit to discuss the issue of homosexuality in their ranks, which is threatening to split the church.