Episcopal Rift Over Gay Bishop Continues To Widen In Florida

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/08/081805episc.htm

Six northeast Florida Episcopal congregations have asked the archbishop of Canterbury to help secure them a different bishop because their current one has not distanced himself from the national organization, which elected an openly gay bishop in 2003.

The letter to the archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Community, informed him they were "in serious theological dispute" with Bishop John Howard and said it was impossible to remain under his leadership within the Jacksonville-based Diocese of Florida.

The Rev. Sam Pascoe, rector at Grace Church in Orange Park, said the churches' believe that getting another bishop would allow them to conduct their ministries "with a clean conscience." The churches opposed the consecration by the national church of V. Gene Robinson, a gay bishop in New Hampshire who lives with a partner.