QUINCY: Diocese decides to continue its relationship with Episcopal Church
Episcopal News Service. October 22, 2007 [102207-04]
Gathered for their annual synod October 20-21, delegates of the Peoria, Illinois-based Episcopal Diocese of Quincy decided to remain part of the Episcopal Church, at least for the immediate future.
In September 2006, the diocese sought alternative pastoral oversight (APO) with a primate other than Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, citing disapproval of the blessing of same-gender unions in the Diocese of Nevada and of her 2003 consent to the election of Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire.
"We gather every year to assess the life, ministry and mission of the diocese," the Rev. John Spencer, a diocesan spokesman, told the Associated Press. "We are a diocese that's focused on mission and outreach, so that's always the primary focus when we come together. We didn't make any formal changes in our relationship with the [U.S.] Episcopal Church this weekend."
The Quincy diocese covers the western portion of central Illinois and includes parishes in and around Quincy, Peoria, Galesburg, Rock Island and Moline.
Spencer said the delegates "focused primarily on our worship together, our time together as a diocese and family, and our focus on ministry work around the globe. We took a number of actions that will open up possibilities for the diocese over the course of the coming year to examine and consider relationships with other parts of the Anglican community."
"The Presiding Bishop continues to be deeply appreciative of the ministry of both the Bishop and people of the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy," said the Rev. Dr. Charles Robertson, canon to the Presiding Bishop. "In communications this past week to Bishop Keith Ackerman, the Presiding Bishop reiterated that she is very open to any suggestion he might offer of an Episcopal Visitor not already on the list, provided only that the Visitor is loyal to the Episcopal Church. In this way, the Presiding Bishop wants to continue to extend open arms to the Bishop and Diocese."
Twelve bishops have accepted Jefferts Schori's invitation to serve as "episcopal visitors" in dioceses requesting this provision. The Presiding Bishop offered the episcopal visitors option during the September meeting of the House of Bishops. Under the provision, the participating bishops provide dioceses with pastoral visitations usually made by the Presiding Bishop as part of the canonical duties of the office.
Spencer said the Diocese of Quincy did not "retreat" from the issue, but took actions that give the group flexibility "within our wider communion relationships -- so should there come a time when the Episcopal Church is no longer a recognized part of that communion, then the Diocese of Quincy will still maintain that relationship."
"We're still hopeful there can be some resolution in the differences of opinion between the Episcopal Church and the wider (Anglican) communion," he said. "But we are bound by our own diocese and constitution."
The leadership of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has announced that it will ask its November 2-3 convention to consider severing all ties with the Episcopal Church.
The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin is the only other diocese to attempt to remove mention of the Episcopal Church from its constitution and canons. The first reading of those changes passed during the diocese's convention in December 2006. The convention is scheduled to convene again this December.
According to reports, Spencer said that Quincy's diocesan leaders are waiting to see what actions other dioceses take at their annual gatherings.