COULD POLK EPISCOPALIANS BE POISED TO SPLIT WITH OTHER REBEL DIOCESES?

Ever since New Hampshire's V. Gene Robinson became the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church USA three years ago, some of the more traditional/conservative dioceses within the denomination have been expressing their discontent with the decisions of the national leadership. That rift has continued to develop with the election of the first woman, Katharine Jefferts Schori, as the church's presiding bishop at it's recent General Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

The Orlando-based Diocese of Central Florida, which includes parishes in Polk County, announced Thursday following a meeting of Bishop John W. Howe, the administrative board, and standing committee it has asked for "immediate alternative primatial oversight", in effect rejecting the authority of Bishop Schori. Four other dioceses --- in Fort Worth, Pittsburgh, San Joaquin (CA), and South Carolina --- have also appealed to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the titular head of the Anglican Communion, for such alternate oversight. Click to read the open letter here.

The letter opens the door for a possible split from the main church:

"The Constitution of our diocese makes it clear that our ultimate loyalty is to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of Christ. In preparation for our Convention on January 27, 2007, we will study the constitutional crisis in which we find ourselves and consider the various constitutional, canonical, financial, and spiritual options available."

The Lakeland Ledger reported this morning that Howe had reserved a date in September for a called diocean convention at the Lakeland Center to consider possible responses to the General Convention, but was advised against it as the event may aggravate instead of help the situation.

This is a simmering situation that reaches all the way down to the local level.