From here: (link fixed)
This is a very emotional time for those of us in the Diocese of the Rio Grande, especially among us at St. Clement’s-El Paso who made up those “effective diocesan leaders” (a quote from Bp. Steenson’s Letter to the Diocese 9/07) who have now been lost to the Diocese and have departed TEC under an agreement negotiated with the Bishop and Standing Committee, which has received significant Internet attention.
Those who are not, or have not recently been, involved intimately with the life and work of the Diocese since the retirement of Bishop Terrence Kelshaw and the election of Bishop Jeffrey Steenson should refrain from the kind of speculation that “Roman” mentions in #13 (above)…let me clear the air.
The Diocese has not been “polarized” for the 10 years I have served elected position. The conservative/orthodox block of votes at Convocation has represented over 2/3 of any vote, and both Standing Committee and Diocesan Council have super majorities of conservatives.
St. Clement’s prepared and waited for a word from the Lord regarding our direction in the Anglican Communion.
Our Bishop, our friend and counselor Jeffrey Steenson, told us this was the time, and our prayers and discernment validated that call. The tear is never deeper, nor more painful, than when it is in tender flesh…and we felt that tear deeply in the tender flesh of this congregation and this Diocese when we voted 460-41 last Sunday to approve an agreement negotiated between us and the Diocese to leave with our property. We could not have succeeded in this without Bishop Steenson’s care and compassion. I am awed by his humility and dedication to Christ, and pray for his health and strength in the months to come!