CHURCH SCHISM part I: US Anglicans divide over homosexuality

   Consecration of the first bishop of the new Anglican Church of North America

 A growing schism between the Worldwide Anglican Communion and their official U.S. branch, the Episcopal Church USA, now threatens to split the US denomination along ideological and theological lines. 

Unity between the Anglican Church and the Episcopal Church has been in question since 2003 when the Episcopal branch disregarded the Communion’s position on homosexuality by ordaining the first-ever actively gay bishop V. Gene Robinson in New Hampshire.

Since then, the moratorium on gay and lesbian ordinations called for by the global Communion has been rejected by the Episcopal Church USA, which voted last month at their General Conference to continue ordaining homosexual leaders and blessing same-sex marriages.

At the same time, conservative Episcopalians and orthodox Anglican coalitions in the US and Canada, who have long-rejected progressive Episcopalian doctrines, have united, drafted their own church constitution as the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA), and are currently seeking official recognition by the Communion as an alternate US branch of the Worldwide Anglican Communion. There is already a motion on the subject of full recognition of the ACNA slated for The Church of England's General Synod in February 2010.

Here is a synopsis of the major events that precipitated the split between liberal and orthodox Episcopalians in the US:

• 1998   -   At the decennial Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops the debate over homosexuality results in passage of Resolution I.10 by a vote of 526-70, which reaffirmed the Church's traditional position on homosexuality:  "...cannot advise the legitimizing or blessing of same sex unions nor ordaining those involved in same gender unions."
• 2003   -   The Episcopal Church USA ordains active-homosexual V. Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire.
• 2004   -   The Common Cause movement is launched to establish a formal orthodox body in the US, led by conservative Bishop of Pittsburg Robert Duncan.
• 2005   -   Archbishops (also called Primates) of the African and Asian ‘Global South’ form an alliance with orthodox US Anglicans and begin the process of realigning the defecting churches under new bishops commissioned by the Primates from the Global South; The Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) – a missionary district sponsored by the Church of Nigeria – is founded as a Common Cause Partner with the purpose of facilitating the US realignment.
• Sept. 2007   -   Common Cause forms a council of Bishops representing over 600 Anglican congregations and agrees to take steps toward a "new ecclesiastical structure" in North America.
• Dec. 3 2008   -   The Common Cause Council unanimously adopts a provisional constitution and nine canons launching the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA), representing approximately 100,000 parishioners, 800 clergy, 615 parishes and 30 bishops. 
• April 2009   -   Seven Primates of the Anglican Communion issue a statement formally recognizing the ACNA and recommend that Anglican Provinces affirm full communion with the ACNA.
• June 20-25 2009   -   Conservative Anglicans from churches and coalitions across the US meet in Bedford, Texas to formally establish the ACNA, representing 700 congregations. Bishop Duncan becomes the first Archbishop and Primate of the ACNA.
• July 8-17, 2009   -   The General Convention of the Episcopal Church USA convenes in Anaheim, California and affirms its acceptance of gays and lesbians to "all roles in ministry." Further, Resolution C056 reopens the door for "the consideration of theological and liturgical resources for the blessing of same gender relationships."
• Aug 1, 2009   -   The Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota announces that a lesbian is among its three candidates for bishop. The election is set for October 31.
• Aug 2, 2009   -   Two Episcopal priests in same-sex relationships are among the nominees for assistant bishop of Los Angeles. According to an AP report, Los Angeles Bishop Jon Bruno said in a statement that he was "pleased by the wide diversity" of the nominees.
• Aug 22, 2009   -   Archbishop Duncan consecrates the first official bishop of the ACNA.
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 In response to the split, The Episcopal Church USA continues to bring lawsuits against churches within the breakaway dioceses, claiming that its constitution prohibits dioceses from breaking away and that church properties are held in trust for the denomination.

COMING UP NEXT:  Two Q and A interviews with local church leaders representing both perspectives on the issue of sexually active gays and lesbians in Anglican leadership and the blessing of same-sex unions.