Alabama ? Nine Anglican archbishops from overseas are in the U.S. supporting a burgeoning movement that began with Episcopalians disenchanted over liberal theology, including the acceptance of homosexuality.

The archbishops were a main draw for more than 800 people attending a meeting Friday in Birmingham of the Anglican Mission in America, which was founded five years ago and has gained steam since the Episcopal church’s decision to consecrate a gay man as bishop in 2003.

These visits anger many U.S. Episcopal leaders, who view the archbishops as encouraging schism while the denomination and the global Anglican Communion are trying to stay together.