Diocese may become first in country to secede from U.S. denomination
ADRIAN MENDOZA/THE BEE (Modesto, CA)
By MERRILL BALASSONE
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: November 27, 2006, 06:01:45 AM PST
RIVERBANK — San Joaquin Bishop John-David Schofield sat in front of congregants at Christ the King Episcopal Church on Sunday afternoon with a clear message.
"We're in tremendous turmoil," Schofield said. "We believe we have crossed a line and departed from Scripture."
Schofield blasted what he called the "liberal agenda" of the American church, which he believes has endorsed homosexuality and same sex unions.
He hopes to make history this weekend when the Diocese of San Joaquin votes at its convention whether to fully break from the national denomination.
If the convention votes yes, it will be the first Episcopal diocese in the nation to split from the U.S. church.
The conservative local diocese, based in Fresno, includes parishes in Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced, Calaveras, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Kern, Alpine and Inyo counties.
"It would be an incredible freedom from a kind of apologetic stigma of the Episcopalian church," Schofield said.
The "major schism" in the church occurred when V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire was consecrated as the first openly gay bishop in 2003, Schofield said.
That was followed by the installation this month of the denomination's first female presiding bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori.
The problem began in the late 1950s, Schofield said, when seminaries began adopting a more "liberal" attitude toward Scripture.
But he spent the vast majority of his more than two-hour talk decrying what he believes is the church's endorsement of homosexuality.
Schofield is prominent in the network, which includes dioceses in Pittsburgh, Albany, N.Y., and Fort Worth, Texas, moving toward a break with the denomination's leaders.
The 2.3 million-member Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch of the global Anglican Communion.
One audience member stood to criticize what she called a "politicizing" of her longtime faith.
But many lauded Schofield's ideas.
"You gotta stand up and do what's right," said Richard Wharton, a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Modesto for more than 10 years. "I'm becoming more politically aware of things. It's absurd, but we're moving on."
Barbara Odegaard, one of four delegates who will vote on behalf of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Mariposa, said she hopes to "grow old" supporting Schofield.
"I've been Episcopalian since I was 8 years old and, frankly, a lot of things have changed," said Odegaard, 70. "But as I get older, going back to church fills a big hole."
Bee staff writer Merrill Balassone can be reached at 578-2337 or mbalassone@modbee.com.
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WHAT IT MEANS
ISSUE: Right Rev. John-David Schofield, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, is one of several conservative leaders who want to split from the national church following the 2003 consecration of the first openly gay Episcopal bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, and the installation this month of the denomination's first female presiding bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT: The Diocese of San Joaquin would be the first Episcopal diocese in the nation to split from the U.S.church.
WHAT'S NEXT: The diocese will vote at its annual convention this weekend on whether to fully break from the national denomination.
