The assembly voted in support of the minister, following a lengthy debate, but called for a special commission to study the general issue "for the sake of the peace and unity of the church".

BBC: Annual Kirk assembly to discuss gay ministers

In his homily, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, called for unity within the church, a not-so-veiled appeal to the cardinal electors to put their differences aside for the good of the church and the next pope.

NPR: Cardinals Celebrate Mass Before Entering Conclave

Obama's aides say he will address the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, his former pastor at the Trinity Unity Church of Christ, in Chicago.

NPR: Facing Fire, Obama to Give Speech on Race

Reverend JEREMIAH WRIGHT (Former Pastor, Trinity Unity Church of Christ): The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law, and then wants us to sing "God Bless America"?

NPR: Facing Fire, Obama to Give Speech on Race

Delegates will also consider appointing bishops instead of district chairmen to help move towards unity with Anglicans, and vote on whether the Methodist Church should relax its rules which forbid the consumption of alcohol on its premises.

BBC: Methodists told to reject racism

Dr Philip Giddings, speaking on behalf of the laity, said Dr Williams had worked with "passion and perseverance" for unity within the Church.

BBC: Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams