Posted on 12/16/2006 7:49:58 PM PST by DeaconBenjamin2
For about 30 years, the Episcopal Church has been one big unhappy family. Under one roof there were female bishops and male bishops who would not ordain women. There were parishes that celebrated gay weddings and parishes that denounced them; theologians sure that Jesus was the only route to salvation, and theologians who disagreed.
Now, after years of threats, the family is breaking up.
As many as eight conservative Episcopal churches in Virginia are expected to announce today that their parishioners have voted to cut their ties with the Episcopal Church. Two are large, historic congregations that minister to the Washington elite and occupy real estate worth a combined $27 million, which could result in a legal battle over who keeps the property.
In a twist, these wealthy American congregations are essentially putting themselves up for adoption by Anglican archbishops in poorer dioceses in Africa, Asia and Latin America who share conservative theological views about homosexuality and the interpretation of Scripture with the breakaway Americans.
“The Episcopalian ship is in trouble,” said the Rev. John Yates, rector of The Falls Church, one of the two large Virginia congregations, where George Washington served on the vestry. “So we’re climbing over the rails down to various little lifeboats. There’s a lifeboat from Bolivia, one from Rwanda, another from Nigeria. Their desire is to help us build a new ship in North America, and design it and get it sailing.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
PING
This is going to be an important case - whether congregations can keep their own churches and real estate that they have built up over many years - or if the Gene Robinson crowd is going to scoop that up for their own purposes.
Well the people of the Episcopal Church should be in a state of revolt. This is a good sign, not a bad one. The Episcopal Church has lost its way.
I support the efforts of Truro, the Falls Church, Church of the Apostles, and the other evangelical, faithful parishes in Northern Virginia. Indeed, I have worshipped at the Friday night Truro services in the past, back when Bishop Howe was Rector. Additionally, I have the faithful Episcopalian congregations in my prayers (as well as their oppressors).
Good luck in your fight.
Who? Are they some kind of Gay Cult like Wham or Culture Club?
ping.
This article was in our local paper this morning, too. The battle will be ongoing for years.
The Post is reporting that Truro, the Falls Church, Church of the Apostles in Fairfax, St. Stephen's in Heathsville, St. Margaret's Church in Woodbridge, Potomac Falls Episcopal Church in Sterling and Church of the Word in Gainesville have voted to leave the Diocese of Virginia.
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