Texas Episcopal Diocese Joins Dissent Against ECUSA's New Bishop
by Jim Brown
July 12, 2006
(AgapePress) - - Yet another Episcopal diocese is expressing displeasure with the denomination's first female bishop because of her support for homosexuality. And now, the head of that Texas diocese is looking to clarify where the parishes he leads stand with regard to the Anglican Communion.
Bishop James Stanton of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas has written to the Archbishop of Canterbury, asking for a "strengthened pastoral relationship." The American bishop's letter to Archbishop Rowan Williams comes in the wake of a move by the Episcopal Church USA (ECUSA) to elect liberal Nevada Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as head the denomination.
The election of Schori, who supports the ordination of homosexual priests and the blessing of homosexual unions, has added fuel to a controversy already well kindled after the ECUSA's consecration of the denomination's first openly homosexual, non-celibate bishop back in November 2003.
That move, along with what some perceive as the church's continued movement toward liberal causes and away from the authority of scripture and church tradition, has caused many conservative Episcopalians and other members of the worldwide Anglican Communion to question their ties with the ECUSA.
Stanton says he plans to visit every parish in his diocese to determine which ones want to leave the Episcopal Church. Meanwhile, he adds, he wants a closer link to the Anglican Communion.
"My request, basically," the Dallas bishop explains, "is that the Archbishop give us his support for our mission here and assure us of our connection and our commitment to the Anglican Communion, just as we've assured him of ours." Like many other conservatives in the denomination, he says he is distancing himself from the Episcopal Church, not from Anglicanism.
"We're concerned to uphold historic Christianity, biblical faith -- what I call the Apostles' teaching," Stanton contends. "We're here to proclaim Christ and the power of Christ to transform lives. I'm not always sure what the message is that is coming out of the leadership of the Episcopal Church, but it seems to be oriented to a number of what are identified as social justice issues."
The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas is just the latest body in the ECUSA to reject Bishop-elect Schori as the denomination's new leader because of her pro-homosexual stances and perceived revisionist views. Members of the Dioceses of Fort Worth, Texas, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as well as dioceses in Illinois, Florida, South Carolina, and California have similarly expressed disapproval with Schori and her election as head bishop. In addition, ECUSA's largest congregation announced earlier this month it was leaving the denomination over the issue of homosexual ordination and a general disregard for scripture.
Jim Brown, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
