[Mark] Lawrence was elected bishop in 2006, but a majority of dioceses rejected his election amid fears that he would lead the conservative-leaning diocese to secede. In 2007, Lawrence was elected a second time and gained approval after offering assurances that he would try to keep the diocese in the denomination.<\/p>\n
The bishop walked a fine line in his address to clergy Thursday, proposing that the diocese clearly distance itself from the Episcopal Church, but not advocating a full break with the denomination at this time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile I have no immediate solutions to the challenges we face, it is certainly neither a hasty departure nor a paralyzed passivity I counsel,\u201d\u009d Lawrence said. \u201cEither of these, I believe … would be for us a false peace and fatal security.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
Lawrence proposed several resolutions to be debated at a special diocesan convention Oct. 24. One would alter the ordination ceremonies of incoming priests to include a dissent with the recent pro-gay actions. The other would lead the diocese to withdraw from \u201call bodies of governance\u201d\u009d in the Episcopal Church that have assented to the pro-gay moves \u201cuntil such bodies show a willingness to repent of such actions.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n