Some predict more Episcopalians will peel away from the American church unless American bishops back off the gay issues this weekend.
And it does not appear the bishops will do that, said David Hein, chairman of the religion department at Hood College in Maryland and author of a book on the history of Episcopalians in the U.S.
“As far as I can tell, they will take themselves out of Anglican communion and be, in effect, one very tiny American sect (Episcopalians are about 2.3 million of 77 million Anglicans worldwide.) And they will probably drift farther and farther to the left without the ballast of the Anglican communion,” Hein said.
Bishop J. Neil Alexander of Georgia remained hopeful Episcopalians will be able to avoid a break in fellowship.
“I am always hopeful. In the last year I have attended several Anglican Communion meetings with representation from all around the world. There is a strong web of relationships…that transcend the disagreements of the present time.
“I believe that ultimately those relationships will continue to flourish and that we are already well on the way to keeping the focus of our life together on mission and ministry in the name of Jesus and for the sake of the world,” Alexander said in an e-mail to the paper.
[blockquote]Episcopalians are the latest denomination to be divided in the struggles over whether believers adhere to traditional understandings or more liberal interpretations of the Bible and person of Jesus.
The most prominent dividing line between the sides is whether the Episcopalian Church should ordain gay priests or bless gay unions.[/blockquote]
Kudos to Christopher Quinn for journalistic first! This is the first time that I have seen in a major newspaper that the issue of homosexuality is a (albeit very visible) secondary issue to the primary one, that authority of scripture.
[b]”As far as I can tell, they will take themselves out of Anglican communion and be, in effect, one very tiny American sect (Episcopalians are about 2.3 million of 77 million Anglicans worldwide.) And they will probably drift farther and farther to the left without the ballast of the Anglican communion,” Hein said.[b]
This pretty much sums up what is going to happen.
I have a “strong web of relationships” with others, too, including Roman Catholics and even non-Christians. That doesn’t mean I’m in Christian communion with them. Ah, well, Mr. Alexander will learn that soon enough.
Even the Presiding Bishop only admits to 2.2 million Episcopalians. WHay do so many newspapers keep refering to higher numbers?