Canadian Anglican Eileen Scully of Waterloo, Ont., has been named to an international group of Anglican theologians with the mandate of preventing the Anglican communion from pulling itself apart.

The Inter-Anglican Theological and Doctrinal Commission is charged with finding ways to maintain unity in the face of increasing diversity. Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey and Canon John Peterson, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, recently announced the make-up of the commission.

Dr. Scully was one of three women, who are also the only lay people, named. An earlier commission produced the Virginia Report to Lambeth 1998, and this new group will build on that work, Dr. Scully said in an interview.

The commission begins its work as churches thought to be promoting a liberal agenda are under attack from more conservative provinces. Those criticized are the provinces of Canada, Scotland, the United States and parts of England.

Dr. Scully, who has a doctorate in systematic theology, teaches part-time at Huron College in London and at Thorneloe University in distance education.

A long-time volunteer at General Synod, she said she is devoted to relationship-building with First Nations people. "We are learning about unity and diversity in the Canadian church," she said. "This is my gift to be offered to the commission."

The commission has five years to do its work.