Pope meets with protestant clergy

SYDNEY, July 18 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI met clergy from several Protestant churches Friday during his visit to Sydney.

Benedict told the group the quest to reunite Christians is at "a critical juncture," The Age reported. The Anglican Communion, a loose confederation of national and regional churches, is threatening to split over the issue of homosexuality.

The Vatican warned the Church of England that deciding to consecrate women as bishops had made unity more difficult.

At Friday's meeting, the Anglican bishop of South Sydney, Robert Forsyth, told the pope there are problems on both sides, with "great and significant differences" between Catholics and Anglicans. He said many Anglicans find the office of the pope difficult to accept.

Forsyth said he was moved by Benedict's call for Christians to treat each other as brothers.

The meeting was held in the crypt of St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.