The Anglican Communion Network was birthed in March 2004 and is currently comprised of over 900 parishes and over 2,200 clergy. Last month, Bishop Duncan invited conservative leaders and major breakaway Anglican groups to initiate discussions on forming a separate Anglican structure in the United States and take their "Common Cause Partnership" to the next level. They are due to take place from 25 to 28 September.
Although The Episcopal Church has expressed a desire to remain in the Anglican Communion, Bishop Duncan believes the US branch will "walk apart" from the global communion.
"[F]ew in this hall anticipate that The Episcopal Church will turn around in the last days before September 30, or that The Episcopal Church has any intention of leaving room for those of us whose commitments to 'the Faith once delivered' created the Anglican Communion Network and have sustained its vision and its witness," said Bishop Duncan at this week's council meeting.
The Episcopal Church has been given until 30 September to unequivocally pledge not to consecrate another openly gay bishop or authorise official prayers for same-sex couples. Episcopal leaders, including Bishop Jefferts Schori, have indicated that they will not "retreat" from their 2003 decision and pro-homosexual position.
"God, in His wisdom, has not used us to reform The Episcopal Church, to bring it back to its historic role and identity as a reliable and mainstream way to be a Christian. Instead The Episcopal Church has embraced de-formation - stunning innovation in Faith and Order - rather than reformation," Bishop Duncan stated.
The worldwide Anglican Communion rejects homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture but at the same time calls its people to minister pastorally to all, including homosexuals.
Amid deepened divisions within The Episcopal Church and impaired relations with Anglican provinces overseas, there has long been speculation of schism within the Anglican Communion. And the Anglican spiritual head, the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, is not fully confident the global body can hold together.
"Anglicans should remain Anglicans ... I don't think schism is inevitable," said Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams in an interview with Time magazine.
The Anglican head added, however, "If you're asking am I absolutely confident that we can get it together after the Lambeth Conference? No. I'm not absolutely confident."
Bishop Duncan added, "We do not know how long our trial will be, but we trust our Heavenly Father."
