Where are the affected churches and members?
Gloria Dei Church in Cocoa; Church of the Good Shepherd in Maitland; St. Edward’s Church in Mount Dora; Grace Church in Ocala; Trinity Church in Vero Beach and Holy Cross Church in Winter Haven, according to officials at the Diocese of Central Florida. The church affiliates are from St. Philip’s in Lake Nona and St. Nicholas in Poinciana.
Why are the churches leaving now?
“We’re not dialoguing anymore,” said the Rev. Paul Young, rector at Gloria Dei Church in Cocoa. The consecration of a gay bishop “is done, and it’s held up as a standard in a church. … Within our diocese, our bishop is highly respected. But he also has said he is going to stand behind the Episcopal Church. It makes it more difficult for us in that we do love our bishop.” Bishop John Howe, who leads the diocese, declined to comment on the impending departures.