The Diocese of Central Florida will reconsider or rescind its 1996 pledge to the national church if the Episcopal Church should "abandon its own teaching" by sanctioning the blessing of same-sex unions or approving for ordination openly non-celibate unmarried persons."

Delegates to the diocesan convention Jan. 26-27 in Daytona Beach accepted the financial asking of General Convention within the range established in 1994, but they attached a "letter of conscience" recommended by the diocesan board.

Delegates voted to send with the 1996 pledge a letter addressed the Most Rev. Edmond L. Browning, Presiding Bishop, and Stephen Duggan, treasurer. The letter states many congregations "are deeply troubled by the apparent inability or unwillingness of the Episcopal Church to uphold its own teaching and standards, most notably in regard to matters of sexuality. We are conscious that the House of Bishops reaffirmed the church's teaching in the Pastoral Study Document that was issued in 1994.

"But we are alarmed at the growing number of bishops and dioceses that have expressed their willingness to flout that teaching either by sanctioning the 'blessing' of same-sex unions or by approving for ordination openly non-celibate unmarried persons ... But the ordinations continue, the rites have been produced, and in many instances they are being used."

In his convention address, the Rt. Rev. John W. Howe said, "there can be no denying that this is an extremely difficult moment for the Episcopal Church nationally. We have been rocked by suicide and scandal this past year. The largest embezzlement in the history of any Christian denomination took place in the midst of budgetary shortfalls ..."

Delegates approved the Church of the Nativity in Port St. Lucie as a new mission, and recognized two missions as parishes, St. Jude's in Orange City and Episcopal Church on the Square in Lady Lake. The Rt. Rev. Herbert Edmondson, former Bishop of Jamaica, and later Assistant Bishop of Central Florida, was honored upon his retirement. A 1996 budget of more than $1.76 million was adopted.