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TechnoratiWhile calling on Anglican primates to formally break fellowship with ECUSA, Church Society noted the “large minority” within the ECUSA that is “opposed to the errors of their church and many more who have themselves separated from ECUSA because of error.”
The "large minority" includes Episcopal Dioceses in Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Florida, South Carolina and California, which have made requests to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, for a "direct pastoral relationship" from overseas instead of being under the American church and its newly elected leader, Katharine Jefferts Schori of Nevada, who supports same-sex relationships.
Also within the Episcopal Church, conservative members have banded together to form the Pittsburgh-based Anglican Communion Network, which represents 10 Episcopal dioceses and more than 900 parishes that opposed Robinson's election in 2003. The network remains part of the Episcopal Church for now, but could ultimately attempt to replace the denomination as the American member of the communion. It has a meeting set for next week to discuss its plans.
In his letter, Phillips urged for a mechanism to be developed to establish fellowship with “those in the United States who remain faithful to orthodox, apostolic Christianity and thus reject such innovations as the acceptance of same sex sexual activity.”
“We suggest that a Commissary be appointed by the orthodox Primates who will work with the various bodies and individual churches in the U.S. so that they can establish some means by which they can be welcomed formally into fellowship,” he wrote.
The Church Society stated that “it is important to embrace these dioceses, churches and denominations within the Communion.”
Christian Post correspondent Maria Mackay in London contributed to this report.
