The Diocese of Central Florida published A Protocol for Those Desiring to Disaffiliate From The Episcopal Church.
Bishop John Howe wrote this letter to his clergy.
Episcopal News Service published this report, CENTRAL FLORIDA: Leadership outlines ‘disaffiliation protocol’.
The diocesan convention meets in late January and will be asked to approve the constitutional change [PDF file] which adds wording relating to the Anglican Communion but does not remove the wording relating to The Episcopal Church.
Posted by Simon Sarmiento on Thursday, 20 December 2007 at 8:47am GMT | TrackBackBishop Howe indicates that some members voted against and that one abstained. I would be curious to know which "side" or "sides" these represented and what their objections were. Were the objectors those who felt that this restricted them in choosing to leave the Episcopal Church and take the property with them by right, or were they those who felt that it was wrongheaded to have a process which appears to allow bodies to disaffiliate.
In fact, this strikes me as a very sound approach. It affirms without compromise the integrity of the Episcopal Church while providing a potential gesture of good will in cases where there is property to bhe disposed of.
In essence, the one concession to the schismatics is that they would be given the first and uncompetitive chance to bid on the property if and only if the Episcopal Church decides to dispose of it. It implies (but does not say) that such a schismatic group might, as a gesture of good will, be given favourable terms.
Posted by: Malcolm+ on Friday, 21 December 2007 at 5:08am GMT