Episcopalian split possible
By Justin Bergman
Associated Press
Nearly 3,000 Episcopalians opposed to the church's election of an openly gay bishop last year are gathering in Northern Virginia this weekend to discuss a possible formal split in the national Episcopal Church.
Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, a vocal opponent of the church's recent softening on gay issues, said yesterday the "Plano-East Conference" could shore up support for the creation of a new network of parishes within the Episcopal Church.
That network could eventually be the sole U.S. Episcopal group recognized by the 77 million-member global Anglican Communion, which also largely opposed the consecration of V. Gene Robinson as bishop in New Hampshire last year.
"This is a sign the orthodox are mobilizing and are not going to give up their church," Duncan said.
The conference, sponsored by a group called the American Anglican Council, opened last night with a Eucharist by Duncan at the 3,500-seat Hylton Memorial Chapel just outside Washington, D.C.
Breakout sessions were scheduled for today on the future of the church and the development of the new network of parishes, which would be known as the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes.
Another meeting is scheduled for the end of the month in Plano, Texas, where the heads of 12 dioceses are expected to formally launch the network, said the Rev. John Guernsey of All Saints Episcopal Church in Dale City, Va.
The members hope to adopt an organizational charter and a theological platform for the group based on a strict reading of the Scriptures.
"We're not simply against something. We're not a bunch of cranky reactionaries," Guernsey said. "But we reject the idea that acceptance means we need to approve of every behavior."
The decision of a majority of Episcopal bishops at the church's annual convention last summer to endorse Robinson and to allow blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples has thrown the Episcopal Church into tumult.
Conservative parishes and priests are at odds with their liberal bishops, and vice versa. Donations are off across the country, with the Diocese of Virginia estimating $250,000 of losses in anticipated revenues.
Internationally, Anglican church leaders have threatened to cut ties with the 2.3 million-member Episcopal Church, the U.S. branch of the Anglican Communion.
Eventually, Duncan said, it will be up to Anglican leaders around the world whether to recognize the new network as America's constituent group in the Anglican Communion.
But not everyone sees this happening.
Bishop Peter James Lee, head of the Diocese of Virginia who voted to support Robinson, said he believes that members of the American Anglican Council are committed to finding a place within the Episcopal Church, not breaking away.
"We certainly have a history of accommodating people with different views," Lee said yesterday by telephone. "My hope is we can retain that depth of community."
Lee chose not to attend the weekend convention taking place in his diocese, which encapsulates Northern Virginia, Richmond and Charlottesville and is the largest diocese in the country.
He said he has received hundreds of angry letters and e-mails from church members and leaders since his vote at the national convention last summer. But he said he would not recant his vote if given the chance.
"I think the church is moving in the right direction by saying that everyone is welcome," he said.
