Against the advice of the diocese's lawyer, lay deputies from a church involved in a legal dispute with the Diocese of South Carolina were given seat and voice at convention March 8-10 at the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul in Charleston.

All Saints' parish in Pawleys Island claims that it existed and held title to its property before the diocese and has gone to court rather than comply with diocesan canons which state that church property ultimately belongs to the diocese. The legal issue is further complicated by the congregation's ties to the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA), which is recognized as a legitimate part of the worldwide Anglican Communion by some provinces but not others, and not by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

In addition to the worship space, the 66-acre church campus also contains office space for several religious institutions and organizations, including the international headquarters for the AMiA and the Rt. Rev. Charles H. Murphy III, one of its missionary bishops. Bishop Murphy remains as rector emeritus of All Saints.' Bishop Murphy is part of the Episcopal Church of Rwanda, but is not officially recognized as a bishop within the Anglican Communion.

In arguing that delegates from All Saints' should not be seated, E.N. Zeigler, diocesan chancellor, said All Saints' was not in union with convention. A two-hour discussion ensued during which the lay delegates from All Saints' were excluded but its interim rector, the Rev. Tim Surratt, was not.

A courtesy resolution was brought to a vote after the Rt. Rev. Edward L. Salmon, Jr. noted that the debate had diverted time and attention away from the agenda.

Delegates eventually voted by a wide margin to allow All Saints' deputies seat and voice. An amendment which would have included vote as well as seat and voice was defeated handily. Fr. Surratt retained his right to vote by virtue of his diocesan clergy membership.

"It was a wonderful sign that the other delegates made us feel welcome," said Fr. Surratt. "I think there was a strong sense in the diocese that we need to maintain unity."

In other action deputies tabled a resolution which called on the diocese to reconsider its relationship with the Episcopal Church if it takes further action to give official recognition to either a rite of blessing for same-sex relationships or ordination of non-celibate homosexuals to the priesthood.