Members of Christ Church, Moline, Ill., narrowly defeated a proposal to remain with The Episcopal Church during the annual meeting on Jan. 25. The Rev. Canon Ed den Blauwen, the church’s rector, is president of the standing committee and vicar general of the Diocese of Quincy which voted to join the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone on a temporary basis during the annual synod last fall.
Members voted 80-59 to remain with The Episcopal Church, but failed to achieve the required two-thirds approval the diocese established in order to be released from the diocese. The vestry was divided, but not so bitterly that its members were unable to work together prior to the annual meeting, Canon den Blauwen said.
That’s the sort of vote that’s crying out either for an agreement for dual use of the building or for realigners to find some other facility. While I do believe that dioceses can leave, I have grave misgivings about the wisdom of requiring either parishes or priests to “opt out” if they wish to stay in TEC. Realignment is also a personal and congregational matter, whether in a realigned or non-realigned diocese, and should be based on a prayerful decision to “opt-in.”
[url=http://catholicandreformed.blogspot.com]Catholic and Reformed[/url]
I agree fully w/Jeremy’s argument about dual use. Charity goes a long way in the long run.
Even if a Diocese leaves, the individual parishes have to change their bylaws etc. to disaffiliate with TEC. Seems to me this parish will not be able to do that.
In this case the minority leaving TEC should just leave and not try to take what is clearly not theirs to take.
Am I alone in finding this a badly written and confusing report? In fact I do not understand it at all. The members defeated a proposal to remain with the Episcopal Church, then voted to remain with TEC, but this majority to stay, mystifyingly, is described as lacking the two-thrids majority to leave. Time for someone to retake Journalism 101.
I agree with Terry Tee. Couldn’t make heads nor tales of this report.
#5 Richard; I’m with you and Terry both. I can’t understand the report either. Sounds like the diocese and the parish church haven’t got a clue either.
Not sure what the problem is. The 59 who voted not to stay TEC actually defeated the motion to stay TEC since a 2/3 majority was needed.