The vast number of Anglicans live in the third world. The average third world individual earns about $2.00 per day, is part of a large family, is barely literate, and lacks the resources for critical theological discernment. Theological education of the clergy, more often than not, takes the form of Bible College rather than University Education. Rural folk tend to be more conservative in outlook.

It is no accident that those who would replace the American Church with one of a more conservative bent would seek out third world Primates in an attempt to undo that which their numbers could not do through due process. These tribal societies are very patriarchal and the ordination of women, putting them in the positions of power and authority so uncommon in their countries, have angered some.

The rethinking of hot button issues in the West has been a slow, methodical, process evolving over a seventy year process of prayer, reflection, and study. Parallels in theological thinking concerning women priests have been aided by similar changes in secular society. A society that does not value women in medicine, law, business, is unlikely to access her potentiality and ability as priest. A similar transformation has taken place in the West concerning societal attitudes toward gay people.

"The issue is not simply a particular view of Scripture; in a number of places in Africa, such as northern Nigeria, there is a great deal of violence against Christians. In that situation, because the Islamic community is absolute in its views, the only way to survive if you're a Christian is to be equally resolute in your theology. So when another province of the Anglican Communion appears more broad in how scripture is interpreted that becomes highly problematic. The church in Nigeria and other places is absolutely obliged, as far as I can see, to take a firm line and say 'We find this aberrant and contrary to how we understand tradition and scripture'” - Frank Griswold in Beliefnet

What have been the practical outcomes of these "impaired communion" declarations? Very little to date.

"No missionary has been asked to leave. No restrictions have been placed on DFMS appointees. No requests for missionaries have been withdrawn. No DFMS budgeted grants have been declined by the provinces that currently receive grants (Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, West Indies, and the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa). No UTO (United Thank Offering) grants for 2003 have been declined. No ERD (Episcopal Relief and Development) grants since General Convention have been declined. To date, only one Companion Diocese, Recife in Brazil, has formally and publicly broken its companion relationship , with the diocese of Central Pennsylvania" - Episcopal News Service

"In February, after Executive Council had confirmed the 2004 budget, Patrick Mauney sent letters to all recipients of annual appropriations from the AGR section of the budget informing them of the appropriations set by General Convention. The letter expressed the hope that they would accept our gift as an indication of our solidarity in God's mission."

"In response to the letter, three provinces declined our gifts: Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. (Kenya first accepted, then declined.)

All others to whom we offered gifts accepted: West Africa, Burundi, Congo, Sudan, Tanzania, Southern Africa, Indian Ocean, Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa (CAPA), Association of African Anglican Theological Institutions (ANITEPAM), West Indies, Brazil, Portugal, Spain and the churches in covenant relation (Philippines, Central America, Mexico and Liberia)." - Kurt Barnes, Treasurer of the Episcopal Church

As of October 2004, the dissidents conjecture that there are 22 provinces in impaired or broken communion with the Network. There is no evidence that the majority of provinces are in their court.

There really appear to be about 17. Nine of these issued formal statements opposing any action having to do with same sex blessings or +Gene Robinson. Of the 17 just three, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda, are larger than the ECUSA in terms of membership. Thirteen of the 17 were previously in impaired communion over some portion of women's ordination.