The new bishop will be elected by clergy of the diocese and by lay delegates representing the diocese’s 64 congregations. Voting will continue until a nominee receives a majority of both clergy and lay votes on the same ballot. Results will be posted in real time at www.edusc.org.<\/p>\n
The election comes during a tense time in The Episcopal Church, which affirmed earlier this year that gays and lesbians in monogamous relationships are eligible for “any ordained ministry,” and that same-sex unions can be blessed. In response, the Diocese of South Carolina called a special convention during which four of five resolutions were passed, including one that calls on the bishop and standing committee “to begin withdrawing from all bodies of The Episcopal Church that have assented to actions contrary to Holy Scripture, the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this Church has received them.” Burwell, citing allegiance to his bishop, said he voted in favor of this resolution, but that it was misunderstood by many observers.<\/p>\n
“I voted for it because our bishop (Mark Lawrence) asked me to vote for it,” Burwell said in a telephone interview. “It was a strategy, not theological.”<\/p>\n