Source: Episcopal News Service, Quincy Herald-Whig
A third Episcopal dioceses has voted to leave the US church. The Diocese of Quincy in Illinois voted to align itself instead with conservative Argentine cleric Archbishop Gregory Venables and his Anglican Church of the Southern Cone.
The church group's governing synod voted resoundingly Friday in favor of the realignment.
Members of Quincy's leadership, including former diocesan bishop Keith Ackerman, who retired on November 1, have been at odds with the wider church over such theological issues as the church's attitude toward homosexuality.
Immediately following the realignment vote, delegates were read a letter from Venables -- primate, or national bishop, of the Southern Cone -- welcoming the Diocese of Quincy into his jurisdiction.
In the letter, Venables announced that he has appointed the Rev. Canon Ed den Blaauwen, a member of Quincy's governing standing committee, as Vicar General of the diocese, in the absence of a sitting bishop.
The diocese announced its schism late Friday afternoon during the group's meeting at Quincy Country Club.
The weekend vote punctuated a stormy, five-year period in which the Diocese of Quincy and some of the other conservative-leaning dioceses around the nation have either left -- or threatened to leave -- the Episcopal Church, Quincy Herald-Whig reports.
At the heart of the controversy has been the Episcopal Church's stand on homosexuality, specifically the 2003 consecration of Bishop Eugene Robinson of New Hampshire, a homosexual, and the acceptance of same-sex unions.
Also creating a firestorm has been some Episcopal church leaders saying the doctrine of the Trinity is open for debate.
Former members of two other Episcopal dioceses recognize Venables as their leader. The San Joaquin diocese in California and the Pittsburgh diocese have voted formally to sever ties with the US church and to align themselves with his Southern Cone church.
The realignment in Quincy was carried out by the passing of two resolutions, Episcopal News Service reports. The first formally annulled accession to "the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America."
The resolution stated that the General Convention and leaders of the Episcopal Church "have failed to uphold the teaching and authority of Holy Scripture, have challenged or belittled core doctrines of the Christian faith, have refused to conform to the agreed teaching and discipline of the Anglican faith, have refused to conform to the agreed teaching and discipline of the Anglican Communion, and have rejected the godly counsel of the leaders of the Communion."
Members of the clergy voted 41 to 14 in favor of that resolution. Lay delegates voted 54 to 12 in favor of the resolution.
The second resolution stated that the Diocese of Quincy "wishes to accept the gracious invitation extended by the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone in November, 2007, to offer membership to extra-provincial dioceses on an emergency basis."
On the resolution to join the Southern Cone, clergy voted 46 to 4 in favor. Lay delegates voted 55 to 8 to approve the resolution.
Both sides issued emotional pleas before the vote, but the majority of the comments favored aligning with the Southern Cone, the Herald-Whig reports.
"Fifty-five years ago I converted from agnostic to Catholic Christianity, and that path has not changed -- but the Episcopal Church has changed and I cannot accept that," said the Rev. Lewis Payne of Quincy, a retired Episcopal priest who is presiding over the Quincy Deanery on an interim basis.
Those who were against leaving the Episcopal Church said such a move would result in lawsuits over property, financial resources and others assets, plus a "broken Christian family."
Others against the move said it was necessary to stay and "fight against the failures of the Episcopal Church" and "save the Episcopal Church from itself."
Those who favored leaving repeatedly said liberal leaders of the Episcopal Church had failed to follow the teachings of scripture and had abandoned the belief that "Jesus is the way, the truth and the life."
Don Gnuse of Quincy said he supported the decision and could see it coming for some time.
"Large groups, though, tend to move slower," said Gnuse, who was attending the synod as visitor.
Gnuse told the Herald-Whig that the Episcopal Church in the United States has people in many foreign countries "just shaking their heads."
"There are now (Anglican) churches in South America and Africa who feel things have gotten so bad in America they are sending missionaries to us," Gnuse said. "They have told us, 'You brought Christianity to us years ago and now we need to do the same (in return).' "
The Southern Cone includes the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay, along with the three US dioceses.
Source: Bulletin: Quincy members vote to leave Episcopal Church, align with Southern Cone | Episcopal News Service
Quincy Diocese synod votes to split with Episcopal Church | Quincy Herald Whig