US Episcopal Church splits over sexuality

FAIRFAX – Two large Episcopal parishes have voted overwhelmingly to leave the Episcopal Church and join fellow Anglican conservatives forming a rival denomination in the United States.

Truro Church in Fairfax and The Falls Church in Falls Church plan to place themselves under the leadership of Anglican Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria, who has called the growing acceptance of gay relationships a “satanic attack” on the church. Truro rector Martyn Minns was consecrated a bishop by the Church of Nigeria earlier this year to lead Akinola’s Convocation of Anglicans in North America.”This has been our spiritual home, so separating is very hard,” Minns said at a news conference Sunday announcing the parishes’ decision.”There’s also the promise of a new day.A burden is being lifted.There are new possibilities breaking through.”Virginia Bishop Peter Lee, a centrist, had won praise even from his critics for his extensive outreach to all sides in the conflict.He said Sunday that the votes “had compromised these discussions and have created Nigerian congregations occupying Episcopal churches.”Four other small Virginia parishes have also left, five more voted to break away Sunday and three more will decide soon whether to follow suit, according to parish leaders.None is as eminent as Truro and Falls Church, however.The parishes together claim more than 4 000 members, with roots they trace back to Colonial times.A lengthy and expensive legal fight could erupt over the Truro and Falls Church properties, which are worth millions of dollars.”We fully intend to assert the church’s canonical and legal rights over these properties,” Lee said in a news release, calling it a “sad day for the church.”Losing all the conservative churches could cost the Virginia diocese around 10 per cent of its 90 000 members.Nampa-APTruro rector Martyn Minns was consecrated a bishop by the Church of Nigeria earlier this year to lead Akinola’s Convocation of Anglicans in North America.”This has been our spiritual home, so separating is very hard,” Minns said at a news conference Sunday announcing the parishes’ decision.”There’s also the promise of a new day.A burden is being lifted.There are new possibilities breaking through.”Virginia Bishop Peter Lee, a centrist, had won praise even from his critics for his extensive outreach to all sides in the conflict.He said Sunday that the votes “had compromised these discussions and have created Nigerian congregations occupying Episcopal churches.”Four other small Virginia parishes have also left, five more voted to break away Sunday and three more will decide soon whether to follow suit, according to parish leaders.None is as eminent as Truro and Falls Church, however.The parishes together claim more than 4 000 members, with roots they trace back to Colonial times.A lengthy and expensive legal fight could erupt over the Truro and Falls Church properties, which are worth millions of dollars.”We fully intend to assert the church’s canonical and legal rights over these properties,” Lee said in a news release, calling it a “sad day for the church.”Losing all the conservative churches could cost the Virginia diocese around 10 per cent of its 90 000 members.Nampa-AP