Episcopal Church May Split - 10/07/03 07:48 PM
Here is some of the aftermath of the gay bishop incident:
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Conservative Episcopalians Meet on Gays
By RICHARD N. OSTLING, AP Religion Writer
DALLAS - Standing and singing together, 2,600 conservative Episcopalians began an emotional meeting Tuesday where they will discuss how to fight their denomination's liberal steps on homosexuality � with the possibility of a church split in the air.
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The meeting, which concludes Thursday, was originally planned as a strategy session for a few hundred leaders. But it mushroomed as conservatives reacted against two actions at the Episcopal Church's midsummer convention: confirmation of a gay bishop living with his partner, and a vote to recognize � though not endorse or condemn � that bishops are allowing blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples.
The presence in Dallas of 45 of the church's 300 bishops underscored the gravity of the situation.
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"We have two to three weeks to see the future of the Episcopal Church in America," said the Rev. David Roseberry, whose 4,000-member Christ Church in suburban Plano organized the event.
He referred not only to the Dallas meeting but, more importantly, an Oct. 15-16 emergency summit in London for leaders of the international Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch.
That session involves the Anglicans' spiritual leader, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and the 37 other heads of world Anglican branches. Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold of the Episcopal Church also is a member of that group and defends the decisions reached this summer in Minneapolis.
�
Any Episcopal split would presumably be the biggest in the United States since 1976, when 100,000 members quit the Lutheran Church � Missouri Synod. The Episcopal Church also suffered 1970s walkouts, over women priests and revisions in liturgy, but they were minor by comparison.
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A split is implied in such program topics here as "Talking Points for Answering Difficult Questions" and the legalistic "Constitutions, Canons, Pensions, Properties and Jurisdictions."
Who gets church property in a split could be among the toughest problems discussed in Dallas.
The most radical position came from the Pittsburgh diocesan convention: a declaration that buildings now belong to each congregation, denying the national denomination's claim to control all property under 1979 legislation.
Said Roseberry: "We are prepared, and preparing, for what God is going to do next."
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Comments?
Joe
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Conservative Episcopalians Meet on Gays
By RICHARD N. OSTLING, AP Religion Writer
DALLAS - Standing and singing together, 2,600 conservative Episcopalians began an emotional meeting Tuesday where they will discuss how to fight their denomination's liberal steps on homosexuality � with the possibility of a church split in the air.
�
The meeting, which concludes Thursday, was originally planned as a strategy session for a few hundred leaders. But it mushroomed as conservatives reacted against two actions at the Episcopal Church's midsummer convention: confirmation of a gay bishop living with his partner, and a vote to recognize � though not endorse or condemn � that bishops are allowing blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples.
The presence in Dallas of 45 of the church's 300 bishops underscored the gravity of the situation.
�
"We have two to three weeks to see the future of the Episcopal Church in America," said the Rev. David Roseberry, whose 4,000-member Christ Church in suburban Plano organized the event.
He referred not only to the Dallas meeting but, more importantly, an Oct. 15-16 emergency summit in London for leaders of the international Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch.
That session involves the Anglicans' spiritual leader, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and the 37 other heads of world Anglican branches. Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold of the Episcopal Church also is a member of that group and defends the decisions reached this summer in Minneapolis.
�
Any Episcopal split would presumably be the biggest in the United States since 1976, when 100,000 members quit the Lutheran Church � Missouri Synod. The Episcopal Church also suffered 1970s walkouts, over women priests and revisions in liturgy, but they were minor by comparison.
�
A split is implied in such program topics here as "Talking Points for Answering Difficult Questions" and the legalistic "Constitutions, Canons, Pensions, Properties and Jurisdictions."
Who gets church property in a split could be among the toughest problems discussed in Dallas.
The most radical position came from the Pittsburgh diocesan convention: a declaration that buildings now belong to each congregation, denying the national denomination's claim to control all property under 1979 legislation.
Said Roseberry: "We are prepared, and preparing, for what God is going to do next."
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Comments?
Joe
