Religion

Episcopalians form protest group

PLANO, Texas - Dissident Episcopalians upset over the consecration of a gay bishop formed an unprecedented national protest group Tuesday - a network of conservatives who pledged to work together to oppose church leadership.

Yet the creation of the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes stopped short of a schism with the Episcopal Church, raising the prospect of church-by-church fights for authority.

"This has been, for us, a glorious and historic day," said Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan, who was elected to head the network.

The organization's founding charter, approved by about 100 delegates from 12 dioceses and other parts of the nation, said decisions by the Episcopal Church "have departed from the historic faith and order and have brought immense harm."

The group "shall operate in good faith within the constitution of the Episcopal Church," and it will "constitute a true and legitimate expression of the worldwide Anglican Communion."

The Anglican Communion is the global federation of churches that trace their roots to the Church of England - the Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch. Most overseas Anglican leaders oppose ordaining gays, but conservatives are a minority in the United States.

Network leaders contend that they're not leaving the Episcopal Church but that the church left them when it began allowing gay clergy and blessings for same-sex couples. November's consecration of openly gay Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire brought the situation to a crisis point.

Robinson could not be reached for comment, spokesman Mike Barwell said. Daniel England, a national church spokesman, said the network "would be a lot more troubling if their numbers were stronger."

It's still unclear how the "church within a church" the network leaders created will relate to the denomination's leaders, and talk of schism was downplayed during the two-day meeting at a church in suburban Dallas. One reason is parishes would likely be forced to surrender their properties to the denomination if they leave.

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