LAKELAND - The second-highest-ranking official in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida has decided to remain in his post after resigning last month over a rift developing between the local diocese and the national church over the ordination of gays.
The Rev. Ernest Bennett rescinded his resignation as canon to Bishop John Howe in a letter sent to diocese priests on Monday.
Bennett's decision came after Howe's repeated requests and followed last week's summit of worldwide Anglican leaders, at which those leaders declined to intervene in the crisis that has engulfed the Episcopal Church.
Bennett resigned on Sept. 23. In an e-mail to other ministers, he cited his "deepest pain" over the direction the diocese is heading.
In his Monday letter, Bennett said he was reassured that Howe would not leave the Episcopal Church or lead the diocese's parishes out of the church. "I hereby rescind my resignation and accept your call to begin anew in this ministry," the letter states.
