THE Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, has warned that the Anglican Church could "implode" through divisions over homosexuality and women bishops.

Dr Hope, 64, issued his stark warning in an interview with a Sunday newspaper on the eve of his retirement as the second most senior Church of England clergyman.

After a decade as Archbishop, Dr Hope will retire on January 15, six years early. He will then quit the splendid 17th century Bishopthorpe Palace for the rectory of St Margaret's Church, Ilkley.

Discussing the "infighting" currently going on between opposing groups within the Church of England, Dr Hope said it "puts off both young and old. If the Church doesn't see this in a much larger context of the whole Christian doctrine of creation, redemption and sanctification, it will allow itself to implode on these two issues."

Dr Hope said the row over the ordination of homosexual clergy and women bishops risked losing the "fundamental Christian message".

He said: "At the end of the day, what is the business of the church? It's about bringing people to Jesus Christ and about living the life of Jesus Christ. Whatever the divisions, those are the key issues."

Of his ten years as Archbishop, Dr Hope said his lowest point was when he received vicious letters criticising his stance on the ordination of women.

"But I've got Yorkshire grit," he said. "I'm not a person who gets down or depressed about things. I'm an optimist at heart."

Updated: 10:00 Monday, December 06, 2004