Northern California Parish Chooses to Leave Us Also
Another Nor Cal Parish Splits From Episcopal Church Over Gays
12.30.06
By Anthony Cuesta
An Episcopal church near San Francisco has become the latest parish to break away from the national church over gay marriage.
According to the Associated Press, members of St. John's Episcopal Church in Petaluma voted to formalize the congregation's split from the Episcopal Church - the U.S. wing of the 77 million-member Anglican family - on Dec. 17.
"The Bible has already spoken regarding homosexuality, and it says it is sinful behavior," said the Rev. David Miller, rector of the congregation some 40 miles north of San Francisco, reports the AP.
Miller’s feelings are largely based on the 2003 ordination of a gay priest -- Gene Robinson -- as the bishop of New Hampshire. The decision to ordain Robinson, who lives with his partner, sent tremors throughout the 77 million-member Anglican Communion, of which the 2.3 million-member Episcopal Church is a part.
Miller called the vote for separation "overwhelming," but did not say what percentage of the church's 240 members approved the break, reports the AP.
The Presiding Bishop of the 2.3 million-member U.S. denomination, Katharine Jefferts Schori, supports progressive views on women priests and same-sex marriage.
But the Petaluma Rosa parish is one of numerous churches seeking to circumvent the U.S. branch in favor of direct representation in England or another more traditional national church abroad.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the 240-member Petaluma church also has officially changed its name to St. John's Anglican Church, a reflection of its intent to align with Anglican Communion churches outside the United States.
Earlier this month, the conservative Diocese of San Joaquin took what Bishop John-David Schofield called a first step toward a formal break with the national church in voting to affirm its membership in the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The Rev. Matthew Lawrence, rector of an Episcopal congregation in nearby Santa Rosa, said he was saddened by the parish's decision.
"Jesus had nothing to say about homosexuality," Lawrence told the AP.
12.30.06
By Anthony Cuesta
An Episcopal church near San Francisco has become the latest parish to break away from the national church over gay marriage.
According to the Associated Press, members of St. John's Episcopal Church in Petaluma voted to formalize the congregation's split from the Episcopal Church - the U.S. wing of the 77 million-member Anglican family - on Dec. 17.
"The Bible has already spoken regarding homosexuality, and it says it is sinful behavior," said the Rev. David Miller, rector of the congregation some 40 miles north of San Francisco, reports the AP.
Miller’s feelings are largely based on the 2003 ordination of a gay priest -- Gene Robinson -- as the bishop of New Hampshire. The decision to ordain Robinson, who lives with his partner, sent tremors throughout the 77 million-member Anglican Communion, of which the 2.3 million-member Episcopal Church is a part.
Miller called the vote for separation "overwhelming," but did not say what percentage of the church's 240 members approved the break, reports the AP.
The Presiding Bishop of the 2.3 million-member U.S. denomination, Katharine Jefferts Schori, supports progressive views on women priests and same-sex marriage.
But the Petaluma Rosa parish is one of numerous churches seeking to circumvent the U.S. branch in favor of direct representation in England or another more traditional national church abroad.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the 240-member Petaluma church also has officially changed its name to St. John's Anglican Church, a reflection of its intent to align with Anglican Communion churches outside the United States.
Earlier this month, the conservative Diocese of San Joaquin took what Bishop John-David Schofield called a first step toward a formal break with the national church in voting to affirm its membership in the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The Rev. Matthew Lawrence, rector of an Episcopal congregation in nearby Santa Rosa, said he was saddened by the parish's decision.
"Jesus had nothing to say about homosexuality," Lawrence told the AP.
posted by Patrick Townson at 6:52 PM
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