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A Split in the Anglican Church over the issue of homosexuality "would not be a disaster, but it would be a failure", the Archbishop of Canterbury has said.

Speaking ahead of a meeting of church leaders, Justin Welby said he wanted "reconciliation", but that would mean "finding ways to disagree well".

Views range from liberals in the US - who accept openly gay clergy - to conservatives in Africa, who do not.

There are fears of a permanent schism in the 80m-strong Communion.

The Communion covers more than 160 countries, many of whom look to Archbishop Welby, the church's most senior bishop, for leadership.

Ever since the liberal Episcopal Church in America consecrated Canon Gene Robinson - a divorced man in a gay relationship - as bishop of New Hampshire in November 2003, sniping within the Communion has intensified.

In many African countries and elsewhere, active homosexuality remains a crime. Many conservatives within the church say they are also firmly against accepting homosexuality on Biblical grounds and want an apology and repentance from the liberals for appointing openly gay priests and bishops.

Fears of a walk out

There is little common ground between the two factions and there are fears that some of the African members may stage a walk out from the meeting.

Archbishop Welby told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "A schism would not be a disaster... God is bigger than our failures, but it would be a failure.

"It would not be good if the Church is unable to set an example to the world of showing how we can love one another and disagree profoundly, because we are brought together by Jesus Christ, not by our own choice."

Archbishop Welby continued: "Certainly I want reconciliation, but reconciliation doesn't always mean agreement - in fact, it very seldom does. It means finding ways to disagree well and that's what we've got to do this week.

"There's nothing I can do if people decide that they want to leave the room. It won't split the communion."

He added: "The church is a family and you remain a family even if you go your separate ways.

Given the fractious Primates' meetings of the past, the Archbishop of Canterbury has done well simply in persuading all 38 to meet around one table, using much of the personal capital he built up during his visits to every single Anglican province around the globe.

Whatever happens, he has done all he can to make the relationship work, although it is increasingly clear that the current institutional arrangement is no longer fit for purpose, given such deep disagreements over a fundamental issue.