Fort Worth, Texas, Nov 18, 2008 / 01:12 am
Nearly eighty percent of the clergy and lay delegates to the 26th diocesan convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Ft. Worth on Saturday voted to leave the Episcopal Church to join the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, joining other dioceses and individuals who have left that church following intense theological and moral controversies.
Among the diocese’s voting clergy, 72 voted to leave the General Convention of the Episcopal Church while 19 voted against, VirtueOnline.org reports. Among the diocese’s voting lay delegates, 102 voted to leave while 25 opposed the proposal.
Similar numbers voted to join the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, whose archbishop, Gregory Venables, sent a message to the diocese, saying:
“In spite of the tragic circumstances which have made your costly decision necessary we rejoice with you at the opportunity to serve God together in His ongoing and glorious mission to extend His Kingdom.”