Episcopalians back conservatives

SPECULATOR -- Episcopal clergy and lay people from 19 New York counties voted by a solid majority Saturday to join a small, conservative theological network that opposes the ordination of gay priests.

The vote angered liberals in the Albany Diocese and promises to deepen a rift that has rankled relations between area churches for more than two years.

The decision to sanction a platform offered by the Anglican Communion Network was ratified by two separate groups at the annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany held in this Hamilton County community.

Out of more than 120 clergy who attended the convention, almost 80 percent voted to join the network, according to Canon Kay Hotaling, spokeswoman for the diocese. Among the 100 or so lay members, about 60 percent voted to join the network.

Leaders of the diocese, including Bishop Daniel Herzog, were quick to say Saturday that the vote does not represent a step toward breaking away from the national Episcopal Church.

"The bishop said this is designed to keep us in," said Hotaling. "We're joining a network, a network that will remain Christ-centered in the Anglican church."

The Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch, or province, of the international Anglican Communion, whose spiritual leader is the Archbishop of Canterbury.

"We see something a little more unsavory going on," said the Rev. Keith Owen, rector of St. Paul's Church in Albany. "Some in this network have made it clear that their agenda is to overthrow the Episcopal Church."

The Albany Diocese includes approximately 20,000 congregants and 130 parishes from Catskill to the Canadian border.

Herzog and the leaders of 11 other dioceses established the Anglican Communion Network in January after a majority of U.S. bishops voted last August to ordain an openly gay bishop.

The ordination made plain a rift in the church over homosexuality and other issues.

Both sides characterized Saturday's hour-long debate before the vote as passionate but polite.

Those who opposed the vote said they expect that at least some of the dissenting churches will take public stands against the vote. But, said Owen, "We're not going to break away."

Keith Owen is the soon-to-be-former rector of St. Paul's. Current info on his parish says he is on his way to become rector of a parish in the Diocese of Ohio. God speed, Keith.

He made his statement to the Times Union in the face of Bp Herzog's pledge: "Not to carry on the debate in the secular press" and the bishop's request to the clergy that they do the same.

The "Via Media" gang identified themselves at the convention by wearing white baseball caps with black Episcopal Church sheilds on the front (a truly bizarre and tacky image). This served to show them as a tiny minority within the diocese. It also made them visible as having very cranky demeanors in a larger gathering of faithful folks. The white hats disappeard before the Holy Eucharist began later Saturday afternoon.

Bishop Herzog deserves great honor and commendations for truly rising to the occasion in his address to the convention on Friday night. He spoke very clearly and very forcefully on the necessaity of keeping the Faith as this church has received it and for expressing the stand of the Albany Diocese for that Faith within the Network and the Anglican Communion as a whole. He faced down his opponents with grace, dignity, clarity, commitment and true charity for those who have vilified and threatened him. He is a true man of God and showed his colors with no equivocation. The entire convention gave him several enthusiastic standing ovations.

Clergy (male and female) stood in the debate to support him and to defend the Faith once received with vigor and determination. The entire convention (with the exception of the cranky looking and reluctant white hats) showed a great deal of unity, rallying around the bishop.

Great thanks also go to the dedicated team of diocesan intercessors. Thanks also to any of you who prayed for us.

After the voting was completed and other business concluded, the convention continued with a beautiful ordination of 6 new deacons followed by a large healing service. Teaching workshops, a youth rally and VBS for kids continued all weekend. One of the liberals complained to me: "This thing is more like a revival than a convention." Yes, indeed.

Sunday morning saw the Holy Eucharist with prayers and music led by the youth. We raised the roof praising God.

Praise and thanks to God for what He accomplished among us. Thanks to Him for giving us Bishops Dan Herzog and Dave Bena who have given us all faithful witness to the Gospel.

More tomorrow. I am seriously exhausted.

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