There was little evidence of the shadow hanging over the Anglican Church at the Lambeth Conference eucharist at Canterbury Cathedral.

While 250 bishops have boycotted the conference over the row over homosexual priests and women bishops, the service in a packed Cathedral on Sunday, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, proved a largely joyous occasion with music and dancing from around the world.

Security had been high for the event with a strong but discreet police presence in The Precincts, which was closed to the public.

In his sermon, the Bishop of Colombo (Sri Lanka), the Rt Rev Duleep de Chickera, seemed determined to start on a light note by suggesting that cricket, along with Christianity, Islamism, Hinduism and Buddhism, should be one of the religions.

'Complex crisis'

But he also spoke of the "wounded Anglican Communion" saying: "That we are not all here indicates that all is not well. It is a complex crisis which will not be resolved instantly."

His only other reference to the moral divide which has split Anglicans was his comment that the communion "should be inclusive, regardless of colour, gender or sexual orientation".

But he insisted that Anglicans must give its highest priority to bringing justice and healing to a world torn and divided by conflict and to act as a voice to those who had none.

The setting of the eucharist was the Miss Luba, a version of the Latin Mass based on traditional Congolese songs. It included a dance by the Melanesian Brothers and Sisters.

The Lambeth Conference continues this week with discussions, meetings and prayer sessions, mainly at Kent University where the 600 delegates and their spouses are staying.

Controversial gay bishop Gene Robinson has said he will attend a fringe meeting of the conference.

~ Bishop Robinson: Why is everyone so fearful? >>>