WASHINGTON, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Episcopal bishops in the United
States, if voting secretly now, would turn away from two critical votes in
2003 which championed a pro-homosexual agenda, according to a survey by Lay
Episcopalians for the Anglican Communion (LEAC). The convention votes
divided their church and caused the worldwide Anglican Communion to put about
2 million Americans in limbo.
In a third question, bishops split about evenly on whether they would
leave the American church or stay with the communion if the Americans remained
outside of the international communion.
The Washington-based organization of traditionalists said 27% of about 300
bishops responded to the study.
LEAC announced that 57.5% of respondents would oppose, in secret ballot,
provisions for church blessing of same-sex partnerships, and 56.25% would
oppose consecration of Bishop V. Gene Robinson, who was promoted despite
having left his wife and family for his present homosexual lover. Those
votes, in a confidential and secret blind-research environment, reversed
tallies in open voting at the 2003 General Convention.
The survey made news last month when the denomination's U.S. presiding
bishop sent a derogatory letter about the research to his bishops, during the
survey's response period. James Ince, coordinator of the research, said
"Bishop (Frank) Griswold's negative and inaccurate letter suppressed response,
but we are pleased to have a good sample to tabulate out of 298 which we
believe were delivered to bishops.
"Bishop Griswold wrote that the research was anonymous, although the
covering letter was on LEAC's letterhead, with our name and address, and the
reply envelope also identified us.
"I suppose he will say he was looking for personal names. Personal names
would have raised more questions than they answered," Ince said. "LEAC's name
informed all recipients, in an instant, where we stand, but the research was
objective."
LEAC said it undertook the research after learning that some bishops who
voted for the gay-backed resolutions had declared privately that they
regretted their votes, tallying outcome and worldwide reaction.
The study was aided by pro-bono opinion research professionals. The
purpose was "to gain realistic insight into today's House of Bishops thinking,
after years of internecine warfare," a LEAC press release said.
"The work studied key elements in reconciliation versus continuing
revisionism and schism fostered by some bishops and egged on by a 'shadow'
gay-lesbian hierarchy of priests and lay people. So the widest participation
by the most senior and experienced tier of Episcopal clergy was desired. We
got a feel for today's dynamics among this distinctive group," the release
explained. "We appreciate contact with any bishop, and some have been in
touch."
Respondents split 46.25% to 45% in favoring sticking with the liberalized
American Church in the event of a complete split with the worldwide communion.
Nearly 9% did not answer that question. The division could be a political
concern for Bishop Griswold as he leads the denomination into a critical
period through mid-June's triennial convention.
Most observers believe the American church ("ECUSA") shortly will be out
of the worldwide communion. Because of the resolutions on sexuality in 2003,
ECUSA and its affiliated dioceses and churches across the nation are now
suspended from the Anglican Consultative Council, operating arm of the
Communion, and are in varying states of broken or impaired communion with
foreign primates whose communicants comprise about 75% of the 78 million in
the church.
Survey Coordinator Ince said hopes for reconciliation were reduced by
Griswold's "heavy-handed attempt to control even blind, anonymous
communications with the bishops. LEAC's watchwords are 'Truth + Clarity +
Courage.' I wish they were contagious."
LEAC is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation. It is a national advocacy
organization faithful to the authority of Christian Scripture and the Anglican
Communion.
LEAC: (240) 485-7357 Website: http://www.layepiscopal.org
Email: info@layepiscopal.org
CONTACT: James Ince (240) 485-7357
Lay Episcopalians for the Anglican Communion
P.O. Box 42604, Washington, DC 20015
info@layepiscopal.org
LOADS OF GOOD INFORMATION AT OUR WEBSITE.
PLEASE PLUG IT: http://www.layepiscopal.org
SOURCE Lay Episcopalians for the Anglican Communion
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Related links:
http://www.layepiscopal.org
CONTACT:
James Ince, +1-240-485-7357
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