The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is moving closer to a decision on whether to break with its American parent church and to join a more conservative branch of the Anglican Communion.

Meeting Tuesday night at Trinity Episcopal Downtown, a Pittsburgh Diocese council moved forward a resolution that, if approved, would allow the diocese to leave the Episcopal Church and realign itself with another province of the Anglican Communion.

The 2.3-million member Episcopal Church is the Episcopal wing of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which has more than 70 million members. A number of provinces of the communion in Africa are headed by conservative bishops who have provided oversight to some conservative Episcopalians unhappy with the church in the United States.

The resolution is supported by Bishop Duncan, the conservative leader of the Episcopal Diocese here. The resolution now heads to the diocese's convention, which is scheduled for Nov. 2-3 in Johnstown.

The resolution could potentially change the centuries-old Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh's constitution, which at present places the diocese under the authority of the larger Episcopal Church.

The resolution must first be passed by two successive conventions. If that happens, it means the Pittsburgh Diocese could leave a province it feels is too progressive and align itself with a more conservative district.

For years now, the issues of whether to ordain gay non-celibate clergy and provide same-sex blessings have roiled mainline churches, including Episcopal congregations.

At least six of the church's dioceses, including the Pittsburgh diocese, have declared they cannot accept the liberal leadership of presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori, which supports of gay relationships. In 2003, the consecration of openly gay New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson deeply ruptured the church.

Scores of formerly Episcopalian congregations, including historic parishes in Virginia, have left the church and joined more conservative Anglican churches.

"We are at a fork in the road," said Peter Frank, a spokesman with the Pittsburgh diocese. "Our choice is to submit to the direction of the Episcopal Church or prepare for the possibility of life apart from that structure."

Joan Gundersen, president of Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh, put forward a resolution on Tuesday night that said the Pittsburgh Diocese should submit to the authority of the Episcopal Church.

She believes that the diocese does not have the power to make these decisions unilaterally.

"Boundaries are geographic," she said. "You can't just join a Uganda province if your church is in Chicago. Bishop [Duncan] is trying to undo that."