Officials of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, which oversees more than 70 parishes along the coastal half of the state, meet today for a special convention that could significantly change the nature of the diocese ‘s relationship with the national church.
Concerned over what many diocese officials say is the liberal trajectory of The Episcopal Church, they have proposed five resolutions to be voted on.
[blockquote]Episcopal Church polity assigns each diocese a high degree of autonomy. If delegates at General Convention vote to sanction gay unions or consecrate gay bishops, for example, individual dioceses are not required to follow suit. [/blockquote]
That is simply not the case. We have the example of the ordination of women. Originally, dioceses were free not to do so and not to accept those who had been so ordained. A few years later GC changed the canons so as to require them to do so. The same canonical change passed at that time will require dioceses not to bar ordination of partnered gays and lesbians or the blessing/marriage of same sex union.
[i]and that resolutions are non-binding matters for discussion and optional adoption, not laws imposed on all dioceses.[/i]
If true, then why are they worried that Dio. SC might pass these resolutions (correction; [b]have[/b] passed 4 of the 5)?
Wow, if all 50 members of the episcopal forum bought a full-page ad, I’m betting they chipped in 50 dollars apiece – or else funneled in some of that vast left wing conspiracy money that’s been floating about…….