Twelve bishops of the Episcopal Church U.S.A. have formed a network for conservatives who feel alienated by the church’s increasingly liberal theology and actions.
The bishops and about 100 other delegates founded the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes on January 19 and 20 in the Dallas suburb of Plano.
Besides their opposition to the church’s stance on homosexuality, conservatives also emphasize broader theological issues, including the authority of Scripture and Jesus’ unique role as Savior.
The conservative bishops have pledged to operate within the constitution and laws of the Episcopal Church. They also promise to contend with Frank Griswold, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, over providing “adequate episcopal oversight” to alienated congregations. Support for adequate episcopal oversight comes from a statement of the 37 primates (national leaders) of the Anglican Communion, including Griswold.
The network’s founders say adequate episcopal oversight means allowing an alienated parish to welcome a substitute bishop if the local bishop has harassed it over theological differences. Some conflicts have grown so tense that bishops have demoted congregations to dependent status. Some have even expelled their priests.
Since the primates last met, however, Griswold has emphasized “supplemental episcopal pastoral care,” in which a local bishop retains authority over any alienated congregation.
Network founders say they may send retired bishops into conflicted dioceses if Griswold and the House of Bishopscontinue to stress the ultimate authorityof local bishops.
The network chose Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh as its first moderator. Duncan will serve a three-year term.
On January 21, Duncan boarded a flight for the enthronement of Archbishop Henry Orombi of Uganda. Anglicans in Uganda told Griswold that none of his representatives would be welcome.
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Related Elsewhere:
Christianity Today‘s earlier coverage of the Anglican Communion’s strife includes:
An Anglican Rorschach Test | Conservatives and liberals fide hope in statement. (Dec. 02, 2003)
The Gay Bishop’s Global Fallout | How each of the 39 provinces in the Anglican Communion have responded to Sunday’s consecration. (Nov. 07, 2003)
Translating the Anglican Primates | Interpretations vary widely on what last week’s statement means, how forceful it was, and what’s next. (Oct. 21, 2003)
Anglican Leaders Criticize Episcopal Church, Canada’s New Westminster Diocese on Homosexual Actions | Future of the Anglican unity “in jeopardy,” they say, but don’t break communion—yet. (Oct. 16, 2003)
Anglicanism’s Communion of Saints | Under the somber portraits of their predecessors, Anglican archbishops will discuss the fractious issues of the church and homosexuality. (Oct. 15, 2003)
Florida Bishop Defies Episcopal Church Head | The consecration of a new bishop becomes the latest battleground between Frank Griswold and the American Anglican Council. (Oct. 10, 2003)
Reimagining Anglican Bonds of Affection | Orthodox American leaders begin describing what realignment of the Anglican Communion might look like. (Oct. 09, 2003)
Conservative Episcopalians Challenge Church Politics as Usual | “A Place to Stand” conference combines unofficial convention, pep rally, and communiqué to Anglican leaders. (Oct. 08, 2003)
Our Brothers and Sisters, the Episcopalians | The Episcopal Church needs our help. Here’s why we should give it. (Oct. 03, 2003)
To My Episcopal Family | Final thoughts from the Episcopal Church’s General Convention. (Aug. 08, 2003)
Bishops Sanction ‘Resources,’ Not Rites | Having confirmed gay bishop, Episcopal leaders turn to discussing same-sex unions. (Aug. 7, 2003)
Darkness in the Afternoon | Openly homosexual Episcopal priest cleared of misconduct, confirmed as bishop (Aug. 6, 2003)
The Bitter Harvest of Sexual Ideology | No one wanted the Gene Robinson bishopric debate to take this sad turn (Aug. 5, 2003)
Deputies Slice into the Gordian Knot | The Episcopal Church’s House of Deputies approves Gene Robinson as New Hampshire Bishop. The House of Bishops will vote today. (Aug. 4, 2003)
Praise the Lord and Pass the Condoms | Southern Hemisphere primates warned that approving Gene Robinson would place the church outside most of the world’s 72 million Anglicans. “You’ll get over it,” responded about 60 percent of the House of Deputies. (Aug. 4, 2003)
Gene Robinson Takes Questions in a Church called Gethsemane | Speaks on reparative therapy, potential schism, and whether he really “/left” his wife for his male lover. (Aug. 4, 2003)
What in the World Is God Doing? | For Episcopalians, the night may be darkest before the dawn. (Aug. 4, 2003)
Integrity Doles Out God’s Not-So Inclusive Love | The Integrity Eucharist has become a triennial sort of mass pity party. (Aug. 1, 2003)
Gay Rites Would Not Bless Ecumenism | Could also impair Anglican work overseas. (Aug. 1, 2003)
Gene and Me | My history with the openly gay man elected bishop of Rochester. (July 31, 2003)
Anglican Communion Frays | Bishops worldwide chastise Canadian bishop who approved gay unions. (July 09, 2003)
The African Lion Roars in the Western Church | Anglican liberals are fretting, conservatives rejoicing, and all are scrambling to their history books: whence this new evangelical force on the world scene? (June 27, 20 03)
Anglican Diocese Endorses Same-Sex Unions | Traditionalists walk out, issue global call for outside intervention. (July 12, 2002)
Weblog: Is Anglicanism’s First Election of an Openly Gay Bishop an Exit Sign? (June 9, 2003)
Commission Will Try to Resolve Tensions Within Anglicanism Worldwide | Group will examine strains over homosexuality, as well as role of Archbishop of Canterbury. (March 20, 2001)
