South Carolina Episcopalians
Bearing Witness to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ through the Episcopal Church
NEW! St. Andrew's, Mt. Pleasant Votes to Leave
The Episcopal Church, testing Bishop's Loyalties
March 26, 2010
Legal moves last summer were intended to make it easier for congregation to take Episcopal Church property
To no one's surprise, St.
Andrew's in Mount Pleasant formally voted on Palm Sunday to sever its ties
with the Episcopal Church.
Over the past few years, St. Andrew's has become much less "Episcopal" and much, more generic in its theology and forms of worship.
The parish calls itself "Anglican" but it is not clear what that means other than the opposition to homosexuals it shares with right-wing elements in worldwide Anglicanism.
The decision by the parish to try to leave the Episcopal Church puts a spotlight on SC Bishop Mark Lawrence and his Standing Committee. It is their job to represent the best interests of, not only the Diocese, but that of the wider church as well.
Lawrence has given every indication that he doesn't feel the wider Church has a stake in the matter, and proposes instead to provide rebel parishes with "generous pastoral response."
The only real issue is the parish property. The congregation has long since outgrown its small historic church building, and moved most of its activities into an elegant, modern worship center on adjacent property.
In anticipation of a split last summer, the congregation took legal steps to insure that it could retain the worship center as its own. Parishes are not allowed to enter into legal agreements of this nature without the consent of the Bishop and Standing Committee.
Over the past few years, St. Andrew's has become much less "Episcopal" and much, more generic in its theology and forms of worship.
The parish calls itself "Anglican" but it is not clear what that means other than the opposition to homosexuals it shares with right-wing elements in worldwide Anglicanism.
The decision by the parish to try to leave the Episcopal Church puts a spotlight on SC Bishop Mark Lawrence and his Standing Committee. It is their job to represent the best interests of, not only the Diocese, but that of the wider church as well.
Lawrence has given every indication that he doesn't feel the wider Church has a stake in the matter, and proposes instead to provide rebel parishes with "generous pastoral response."
The only real issue is the parish property. The congregation has long since outgrown its small historic church building, and moved most of its activities into an elegant, modern worship center on adjacent property.
In anticipation of a split last summer, the congregation took legal steps to insure that it could retain the worship center as its own. Parishes are not allowed to enter into legal agreements of this nature without the consent of the Bishop and Standing Committee.
Where will they go?
The resolution approved by the parish did not specify where it might eventually affiliate itself.
For a short while, it was headed to the so-called Anglican Church of North America, under former Episcopal Bishop of Pittsburgh Bob Duncan.
Duncan, who uses the title of "Archbishop", was deposed after a lawsuit by members of the Diocese, showed that he was lying to parishes, claiming he was staying in the Episcopal Church, at the same time he was plotting with right-wing Primates to leave with Diocesan property.
Duncan's "church" is not only anti-gay, but includes in its leadership advocates of a male-only priesthood.
The group also is rumored to be providing financial rewards to clergy who lead their parishes out of the Episcopal Church and into their fold.
For a short while, it was headed to the so-called Anglican Church of North America, under former Episcopal Bishop of Pittsburgh Bob Duncan.
Duncan, who uses the title of "Archbishop", was deposed after a lawsuit by members of the Diocese, showed that he was lying to parishes, claiming he was staying in the Episcopal Church, at the same time he was plotting with right-wing Primates to leave with Diocesan property.Duncan's "church" is not only anti-gay, but includes in its leadership advocates of a male-only priesthood.
The group also is rumored to be providing financial rewards to clergy who lead their parishes out of the Episcopal Church and into their fold.
Volatile Parish Rector is no Stranger to Controversy
Wood made himself briefly famous in the wider Church in 2008 when he told his congregation the Presiding Bishop was the "Anti-Christ". After last year's national convention, he referred to the Episcopal Church as a "whore, spreading its legs" for anyone.
Wood then attacked the traditional Episcopalians in the Diocese for, what he claimed, was angry and hyperbolic rhetoric.
Wood was one of three nominees for Bishop of South Carolina when Mark Lawrence was first elected.
