Parish Urges Reconciliation with Dissident Parishes
Episcopal News Service. June 16, 1977 [77216]
SAN CARLOS, Calif. -- The officials of a parish of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of California have approved a resolution calling on "all parishes who have withdrawn from the Canonical Body in the State of California and elsewhere" to attempt "to become reconciled with the existing theology. "
The rector, wardens and vestry of the Church of the Epiphany, San Carlos, urged the parishes in the Diocese of Los Angeles as well as the Diocese of California which have voted to withdraw from the Episcopal Church because of disagreement with General Convention actions to seek reconciliation with their bishops or to "strive, within the procedures set forth in the Canons, to alter the same to a state more acceptable to them. "
The parish officials noted two actions of the 1976 General Convention -- the adoption of a revised Book of Common Prayer and the approval of women priests and bishops -- which have caused "dissent" and "discord" in the Church. However, the resolution noted that these two actions came "after much national dialogue and debate, over many years, and according to the form and requirements of the Canons of the Church."
The resolution pointed out that the worldwide Anglican Communion -- of which the Episcopal Church in the U. S. is a part -- has "a long, often tumultuous history of toleration, reasoned argument, and the ability to encompass a wide divergence of personal opinion and belief."
The withdrawal from the Episcopal Church by these parishes "is contrary to the spirit of dialogue" and "to the spirit and intent of the Ministry of Reconciliation," the resolution said.
The resolution further urged "all other parishes in the Diocese of California and elsewhere to express their support for reconciliation" with the parishes which have withdrawn, "for continued liturgical development within established Canonical procedures, and to reaffirm their Communion with our Bishop."