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Church 'movement' not a schism
21/01/2004 10:37 - (SA)
Plano, Texas - Dissident Episcopalians upset over the consecration of a gay bishop formed an unprecedented national protest group - a network of conservatives who pledged to oppose church leadership.
Yet the creation of the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes stopped short of a schism with the Episcopal Church, raising the prospect of church-by-church fights for authority and control.
"This has been, for us, a glorious and historic day," said Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan, who was elected to head the network.
The group said it "shall operate in good faith within the constitution of the Episcopal Church," and it will "constitute a true and legitimate expression of the worldwide Anglican Communion".
Network leaders contend they're not leaving the Episcopal Church but the church left them when it began allowing gay clergy and blessings for same-sex couples. November's consecration of openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire brought the situation to a crisis point.
Robinson could not be reached for comment, his spokesperson Mike Barwell said. Daniel England, a national church spokesperson, said the network "would be a lot more troubling if their numbers were stronger."
It's still unclear how the "church within a church" the network leaders created will relate to the denomination's leaders, and talk of schism was downplayed during the two-day meeting in Dallas. Parishes would likely be forced to surrender their properties to the denomination if they leave.
But the network's charter says that all congregations joining the group, including those from liberal dioceses, will "come under the spiritual authority of a bishop" approved by network leaders - a direct challenge to the Episcopal Church's top officials.
The meeting discussed writing a doctrinal platform but lacked the time to do that in Plano, and delegates acknowledged they disagree about whether women should be ordained.
Yet the network's ideology is clear: Conservative Episcopalians believe that allowing gay clergy and same-sex blessings threatens the authority of the Bible and Christian tradition.
Many others, however, favour allowing local dioceses to decide whether to recognise same-gender couples, and some insist the Bible should be interpreted to offer equal justice for all people, including homosexuals.
The network's diocesan representatives must now return home and get formal approval from local church leaders before their areas officially join the network.
The group said it will consult with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the communion's spiritual leader, and overseas Anglican authorities about securing direct oversight from them - another attempt to circumvent Episcopal leaders.
Williams has named a commission to report by September 30 on solutions to global divisions over the Episcopal Church's actions and a parallel dispute in Canada concerning same-sex blessings.
- AP
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