The Episcopal Synod of America returned to its birthplace in the Diocese of Fort Worth for its annual meeting May 31-June 2. About 200 members and delegates attended the meeting at St. Andrew's Church, Fort Worth, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the organization which began as a place for Episcopalians who could not accept the ordination of women as priests and bishops.

Recognizing the complexity of issues facing the Episcopal Church, attendees heard reports of activities and took a constitutional step to align with the worldwide Forward in Faith organization. The alliance with the largest traditionalist group in the Church of England and others throughout the Anglican Communion was made with the intention of looking beyond the boundaries of the Episcopal Church.

"We have learned that the crisis facing the church is more than an Anglican problem," said the Rt. Rev. John Broadhurst, Bishop of Fulham and chairman of the English branch of Forward in Faith. "This is why there cannot simply be an Anglican solution."

The former ESA will be known as Forward in Faith/North America. There is a similar group in Australia. Each is autonomous; the U.S. branch includes Canada, Central America and the Caribbean.

The reorganization was undertaken in recognition of the results of the Lambeth Conference, as well as of the stated intentions of several primates of the Anglican Communion who have heard the appeal to them made by traditionalists. The council determined to reorganize in order to reflect the common witness of like-minded people, to demonstrate to international primates the international nature of the common witness, and to reflect more positively its witness not to an ecclesiastical institution but to the universal truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The synod also adopted a statement of communion, affirming that sacramental communion rests on the unity of the faithful in a common confession of the gospel of Christ and a common life in Christ. It indicates that when elements contrary to that confession are introduced, tolerated or ignored, then sacramental communion is impaired, creating serious dilemmas of conscience for the faithful. It further addresses actions the faithful may take to remain faithful to their gospel integrity.

In the face of the serious illness of organization's president, Walter Bruce, the Rev. David Moyer, rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Rosemont, Pa., was named president pro tem.

A service commemorating the 450th anniversary of the Book of Common Prayer was held, and clergy and laity from Anglican bodies not in communion with the Episcopal Church participated in ESA's worship and proceedings.

Dorothy Spaulding contributed to this article