*Flight from biblical orthodoxy triggers exodus of 'faithful'*

Posted: September 15, 2007

The Anglican/Episcopal Church is on the verge of a mass exodus if it
doesn't repent of its approval of homosexual relationships, warn the
leaders of three diocese that signaled their intent this week to leave
the 2 million-member denomination.

The dioceses of Fort Worth, Pittsburgh and Quincy, Ill., have stated if
they don't receive assurances by Sept. 30 that the House of Bishops will
not reject the consecration of bishops living in a same-sex relationship
and same-sex blessings, they are prepared to cut themselves off from the
Episcopal Church in the USA.

The Episcopal Church is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion,
which, led by bishops in Africa and Asia, largely has maintained
traditional doctrines.

"The Episcopal Church now faces potentially large numbers of departures
that would make what has happened until now look like the calm before a
storm," said Ralph Webb, director of Anglican Action for the Institute
on Religion and Democracy, a non-profit group seeking renewal in
mainline denominations.

Noting a trend that has developed over more than three decades, Webb
said the denomination "has moved so far away from Scripture, Christian
tradition and reason that many faithful Christians feel that they can no
longer stay within the Episcopal Church and be faithful."

"The Episcopal Church so far has downplayed the impact of the thousands
of Anglicans who have left the denomination," he said.

Initially, denominational leaders such as Presiding Bishop Katharine
Jefferts Schori claimed the numbers of people leaving were so small they
weren't newsworthy, Webb pointed out.

"Then, as more and more parishioners left, they revised their claim to
emphasize parishes instead of people," he said. "They have ignored the
loss of congregations with some of the largest numbers of parishioners
in the denomination."

The outcome of the House of Bishops fall meeting, Sept. 19-25, will
"make the difference between whether thousands of Episcopalians stay
within the denomination or leave it," said Webb.