Posted on 12/02/2006 3:01:28 PM PST by sionnsar
FRESNO, CA--Delegates to the 47th Annual Convention of the Diocese of San Joaquin took the first unprecedented step in the history of The Episcopal Church towards separating from the national church, and voted overwhelmingly to amend its diocesan constitution to change its name from Episcopal to Anglican in anticipation of transferring its relationships and communion to an orthodox Anglican Province.
In a vote by orders, 68 of the clergy voted in favor of the amendment, 16 were opposed. The lay delegates voted 108 in favor, with 12 opposed to the amendment to Article II. After the vote was counted delegates rose to their feet and erupted in applause.
The amendment to Article II of the diocesan constitution now identifies the diocese specifically as "Anglican", the term most commonly used through out the world-wide Anglican Communion, whose historical center is the Church of England.
The language of article II, "Anglican Identity" now reads as follows: "The Diocese of San Joaquin is constituted by the Faith, Order, and Practice of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church as received by the Anglican Communion. The Diocese shall be a constituent member of the Anglican Communion and in full communion with the See of Canterbury."
The constitutional amendment will not take effect until a second vote is taken at another annual convention in 2007. The second reading will require a two-thirds majority in order to pass.
The second and final stage of separation will be determined at a special convention called by Bishop John-David Schofield that will see a permanent separation from The Episcopal Church.
The Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield, Bishop of San Joaquin, was recently exonerated by the Title IV [Disciplinary] Review Committee of charges that he had abandoned the communion of The Episcopal Church. The investigation was necessary after a complaint was received in June from the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Bishop of Los Angeles; the Rt. Rev. Jerry Lamb, Bishop of Northern California; the Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, Bishop of San Diego; and the Rt. Rev. William E. Swing, Bishop of California. Bishop Swing has since retired.
"The Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA) has taken a number of actions which have resulted in a majority of the Provinces of the worldwide Anglican Communion declaring that ECUSA is no longer a member in good standing of that Communion," reads the explanation to the proposed changes. "After ample time for reflection and repentance, ECUSA refuses to reverse these actions and refuses to commit not to engage in such actions in the future, jeopardizing its standing as a member of the Anglican Communion.
"The Diocese of San Joaquin now upholds, and has always faithfully upheld, the orthodox Christian Faith in its Anglican expression, and intends to remain a Diocese in good standing within the Communion regardless of the actions and disobedience of ECUSA."
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.
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