Archbishop Carlos Touche-Porter of Mexico and Primus Idris Jones of the Scottish Episcopal Church are taking part in a conference, titled "Celebrating Anglican Diversity," to uphold the Anglican tradition of open and inclusive theology and consider the future course of the Anglican Communion.

Touche-Porter is a staunch advocate of full inclusion and diversity within the Church, especially in support of gay and lesbian Christians. "Inclusion is a reality in the Anglican Church, despite reports to the contrary," he said. "I am very much looking forward to being in the U.K. as part of our preparations for a positive Lambeth Conference."

"It was very obvious at the recent meeting of Anglican Primates that the vast majority wish to stay with an Anglican church that is open and welcoming and prepared to live with difference," said Jones. "This is Anglican mainstream and we have to make it clear that it represents [the] majority opinion among church leaders. Attempts to try to turn the Communion into something that is controlled from the center, with expulsion the result of disagreement, will fail."

The conference is sponsored by Inclusive Church, which describes itself as "an organization of individuals and churches that believe the Church of England should be a broad open church which is inclusive of all, regardless of race, gender or sexuality."

The Very Rev. Rogers Govender, dean of Manchester Cathedral, said: "Manchester Cathedral sits at the center of a diverse vibrant city. One important aspect of the Cathedral is to help people debate and encourage communities to share and grow. I hope this Inclusive Church day will be an important part of that process, celebrating and maintaining the traditional inclusivity and diversity within the Anglican Communion."

The conference continues the Cathedral's Diverse Opinions Programme, begun earlier this year, which included a visit by Archbishop Drexel Gomez of the West Indies.