At least 10 bishops are prepared to cross diocesan boundaries if necessary to provide episcopal ministry to parishes which feel cut off from the oversight of orthodox bishops. The plan was revealed at the convention of the Episcopal Synod of America (ESA), July 27-30, in Rosemont, Pa. Meeting at the Church of the Good Shepherd, ESA leaders published an open letter "to all faithful people in the Anglican tradition."

The letter notes decisions of General Convention the previous week in Philadelphia as refusing to affirm the biblical standards of sexual morality, laments the "persecution" of those who cannot accept the ordination of women as priests and bishops, and reveals details of a new province, "a structure which would proclaim true doctrine and allow us to go forward with the work God has given each of us.

"We are not leaving anything or going anywhere," the letter states. "While praying and working for revival in the Episcopal Church, we have planned for a number of years for a new province, a structure which would proclaim true doctrine ... We have said from the beginning that we intend to be the Church. We will continue to be who we are. We have waited patiently for the right moment, and now is the acceptable time."

ESA, formed in 1989, has been an organization for Episcopalians who oppose on theological grounds the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate. Its members also oppose blessing same-sex relationships and ordaining non-celibate homosexuals.

The letter claims General Convention "created substantial impediments to the practice and advance of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ," and "refused to affirm the biblical standards of sexual morality" by failing to approve the Kuala Lumpur Statement [TLC, June 8], promoting study of the blessing of same-sex unions, allowing dioceses to extend insurance coverage to "domestic partnerships" of clergy and lay employees, and rejecting a proposed canon requiring of all ordained people sexual fidelity within marriage and abstinence from sexual relations outside it.

"It has become clear to us that the Episcopal Synod of America must more fully and thoroughly continue in its mission to 'be the church,' by proclaiming the gospel and shepherding the faithful," the letter states. "We see our faithful pursuit of this mission as an essential element in the emergence of an orthodox province of the Anglican Communion in America."

While the bishops who would be willing to minister in other dioceses were not identified in the letter, it is believed they include the four diocesan bishops affiliated with ESA (Bishops Jack Iker of Fort Worth, William Wantland of Eau Claire, Keith Ackerman of Quincy and John-David Schofield of San Joaquin) and others who belong to the American Anglican Council (AAC).

According to the letter, if a parish asks its own diocesan bishop for permission to invite another bishop to make a visitation, and that request is refused, then one of the bishops who is willing to cross diocesan boundaries will be sent by ESA to that parish.

"Should action be taken by a local ordinary against a synod parish for requesting such oversight, this community will consider that action to be of no force and effect," the letter reveals. "We acknowledge that some parishes may find it necessary to seek corporate separation from the institutional church, and pledge our solidarity with them."

ESA also addresses individuals who feel cut off from "orthodox" parishes and urges those persons to "seek a compatible local community or begin efforts to build one." The letter points out that the American Anglican Council and the North American Missionary Society have offered cooperation with such efforts.

"We are encouraged by the support we have already received from overseas bishops and provinces of the Anglican Communion, and will work energetically to extend our fellowship and work for the gospel with them," the letter states. It also mentions that ESA welcomes association with jurisdictions of the continuing Anglican movement, the National Catholic Church (formerly Polish National Catholic Church) and the Charismatic Episcopal Church.