The Pope will discuss how to deal with the increasing numbers of requests from disaffected Anglicans to join the Roman Catholic Church at a meeting with cardinals from around the world tomorrow.

Pope Benedict XVI, who is making the reunification of Christendom a goal of his pontificate, is in talks with at least three US Episcopal bishops about their reception into the Catholic church. He has also been approached by an entire breakaway group of traditionalist Anglicans about admitting them to his Church.

The meeting in Rome comes on the eve of the consistory to create a tranche of new cardinals and as Anglicans in Canada this evening announced they are to seek sanctuary in new "safe haven" for traditionalists set up under the leadership of the Primate of the Southern Cone, Archbishop Gregory Venables.

Up to 20 parishes in the Anglican Network in Canada, headed by Bishop Donald Harvey, are to desert the leadership of the Anglican Church of Canada and place themselves under the oversight of Archbishop Venables instead.

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Background

• Gay weddings flourish in a religious stronghold

• Pope to discuss influx of Anglicans

• US Church pledges not to consecrate gay bishops

• Bishop defects to Catholic Church in gay row

Background

• Pro-gay agenda pushes Church closer to schism

• Archbishop of Canterbury's 'secret gay communion'

• Archbishop faces clash over gay marriages of 50 priests

Archbishop Venables announced a few days ago that he was extending the jurisdiction of his Southern Cone province, which includes Argentina, Chile and Peru, to North America. At least two entire dioceses in the US are also preparing to switch jurisdictions.

Now traditionalists in Canada have decided to follow suit, under the leadership of Bishop Harvey and Bishop Michael Harding, both of them Canadian bishops who have returned from retirement to help with the re-alignment. Anglican bishops can retire at 65 but may also stay on until 70 if they wish.

As many as 20 parishes are expected to go with the network. At least one priest anticipates immediate deposition and a lawsuit.

Bishop Harvey said his aim was to provide a "safe haven" for Anglicans who want to remain in their communion but not in their own, increasingly liberal province.

The last straw for many of the 250 attending the Network conference in Canada today was the support by the Niagara diocese a few days ago for same-sex blessings.

Bishop Harvey said: "We have been leading up to this for a year or so. I have been received into the Southern Cone and today we are putting out for people a safety net, so when they feel they can no longer remain faithful to the Anglican Church of Canada in the direction it seems to be going, they will have an alternative to go to rather than leave the Church that has been their heritage for so long.

"We will try to provide for them, through the Southern Cone, a viable alternative which will leave them connected to the Communion.

"We are crossing the Red Sea. We will begin with a variety of orthodox-minded Anglicans from all across Canada in what will be a rather loose structure to start with. To quote TS Eliot, in order to get better, our sickness must first get worse."

The long-term goal, he said, was the establishment of another North American province running in parallel jurisdiction to the existing US and Canada provinces.

Welcoming the Canadian traditionalists on board, Archbishop Venables said: "It is not usual for Anglicans to do unusual things. Our unity in the Lord Jesus Christ leads us to provide ways in which those who believe in biblical unity to continue the biblical mission of the church. Joining with the Province means continuing with the Anglican Communion despite those who have torn the fabric and ignored the clearly expressed will of Anglicans. It means joining in the worldwide missionary effort in the Americas."

He continued: "We have come to the conclusion that we can wait no longer for things to change. The path on which are some are set is even more affirmed than it has been before. We cannot look back to a time that is gone."