Posted on: Saturday, January 17, 2004
Episcopal group wants realigning
Associated Press
The "ultimate goal" of conservative Episcopalians opposed to an openly gay bishop is a "replacement" for the Episcopal Church that will be aligned with like-minded Anglican churches in other nations, according to a detailed memo from a key strategist.
News of the memo, first reported in Wednesday's Washington Post, comes as conservatives prepare for a crucial closed-door meeting next week in Plano, Texas, to establish a national group called the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes.
In recent weeks, conservative leaders have said this will not be a formal breakaway from the Episcopal Church. But the memo indicates the Plano meeting may face a division between those favoring a conciliatory strategy and militants prepared to defy the church.
"Our ultimate goal is a realignment of Anglicanism on North American soil committed to biblical faith and values," says the memo by the Rev. Geoffrey Chapman. "We believe in the end this should be a 'replacement' jurisdiction ... closely aligned with the majority of world Anglicanism."
Daniel England, communications director at Episcopal Church headquarters, said many rank-and-file Episcopalians will likely be disappointed by a strategy that "seems to contemplate disobeying canons" in church law and would "circumvent the authority of diocesan bishops." Still, England said, the denomination needs to hear all voices in the debate over homosexuality.
The confidential document was sent to interested congregations Dec. 28 by Chapman, of Sewickley, Pa., on behalf of the Washington-based American Anglican Council, which is helping organize the network.
The Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch of the international Anglican Communion — bodies that trace their heritage to the Church of England. Many national Anglican churches have denounced or broken fellowship with the Episcopal Church over the consecration in November of V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay cleric, as bishop of New Hampshire.
