The U.S. Episcopal Church faces major tumult this week when an entire California diocese with more than 9,000 members decides whether to secede in an unprecedented protest over gay issues.
The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, based in Fresno and consisting of nearly 50 churches in 14 counties, would be the first diocese to bolt from the U.S. branch of the 77-million-member global Anglican Communion if Saturday’s final vote passes.
The U.S. church and Anglicanism generally have been in upheaval since 2003 when the Episcopal Church consecrated Gene Robinson of New Hampshire as the first bishop known to be in an openly gay relationship in more than four centuries of church history.
Dissent over that as well as the blessing of same-sex unions practiced in some congregations has caused a number of defections by traditionalists in the U.S. church.
Pray. Pray. Pray.
The prayer vigil for the San Joaquin convention commences tonight. A sign-up sheet is posted at Surrounded. In addition, prayers for San Joaquin have been posted at Lent & Beyond throughout the week. Scroll down to read them all. Thank you, dear intercessors.
Interesting that the article was under the African section of Reuters and not filed under US
It’s also interesting that the headline mentions a move from one province to another. According to Schori, they would be leaving “The Church”.
This is a potential disaster. A mess.
1. DioSJ votes to depart TEC.
2. St. Swithin’s in the Swamp says “we wish to remain in TEC.”
3. +JD-S says, “you’re schismatic. You may leave but you owe the DioSJ $3,000 in shared ministry funds.”
4. St. Swithin’s says, “[i]We’re[/i] not the ones leaving, [i]you[/i] are!”
5. +JD-S says, “What I say means what I say it means.”
Call in the attorneys.
What the heck sort of evanglism are we practicing when the world only sees us fighting over sexuality, women’s ordination, power, and property?!? When did issues of sexuality replace “feed the hungry” as doctrine?!?
People are laughing. At conservatives. They shouldn’t, but they are. (Yes, I realize some people are laughing at — or disgusted by — progressives, as well.) We all lose in this struggle.
But the ones who really lose are the poor, the hungry, the marginalized, the crippled, the naked, and those in prison.
RE: “What the heck sort of evanglism are we practicing when the world only sees us fighting over sexuality, women’s ordination, power, and property?!? When did issues of sexuality replace “feed the hungry†as doctrine?!?”
Right. So why didn’t the progressives give up their quest since it wasn’t all that important.
Wait — you say it was that important?
That’s it — because it is the progressive gospel, that’s why.
It was worth splitting the church over it, PadreWayne. So there shouldn’t be any crying or gnashing of teeth now that it’s happening. A little late — the progressives had 40 years to pull back from their gospel, but after all . . . it was too important.