Church conservatives predicted that the swift actions of the two dioceses in response to the recent policy shift would lead to greater division within the U.S. church. And they accused top Episcopal leaders of being disingenuous by suggesting that the denomination had not strayed from traditional beliefs and policies.
“What this represents is a continued in-your-face gesture to the worldwide Anglican Communion,” said Kendall Harmon, a prominent conservative who is chief theological advisor to the Episcopal bishop of South Carolina. “Anyone who is paying attention can see that the Episcopal Church is moving in the direction of the new theology and practice that they have embraced…”
One leading Episcopal progressive, Bishop Marc Andrus of San Francisco, said the nominations of Kirkley and Glasspool were not a significant departure from the church’s recent direction.
“This is really in keeping with the trajectory of our church toward justice and the recognition . . . of the full rights of gay and lesbian people,” said Andrus, bishop of the Diocese of California.