The Diocese of Fort Worth is to be commended upon its decision [TLC, Dec. 1] to no longer unconditionally accept the authority of General Convention.

The church began in this country as a "diocesan church." Where the bishop is there is the church. Precedent for this decision was set in the 16th century when Archbishop Cranmer declared England no longer accepted the authority of the pope, and thus was born "the Church of England."

While the drafters of this decision did not imply cessation, this may be the only recourse whereby we preserve the authority of scripture and apostolic truth, when the Presiding Bishop, representing the Episcopal Church, persists in approving abortion and homosexuality.

(The Rev. Canon) Philip E. P. Weeks

Barnabas Ministries, Inc.

Maitland, Fla.