Fort Worth Episcopal Diocese may flee national group

Leaders of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth have recommended that it leave the more liberal Episcopal Church, the Anglican body of the United States.

The Episcopal Church faces considerable internal division, including revolt by some dioceses and parishes, over allowing an openly gay bishop and not forbidding the blessing of same-sex unions.

The Fort Worth diocese's standing committee – a key panel of clergy and lay leaders – proposed Monday that the diocese withdraw from the Episcopal Church and affiliate with another province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

In announcing the recommendation, the Rev. Ryan S. Reed, president of the committee, described Fort Worth as a "traditional, conservative diocese" that has long found itself at odds with the leadership of the Episcopal Church.

The proposal to withdraw would have to be approved at the diocese's annual convention Nov. 16-17. And because the move involves changing the diocese's constitution, a second vote would be required at next year's annual convention.

Should the diocese withdraw, it could find itself fighting the Episcopal Church over who owns church buildings and other property.

The Episcopal Church is "getting ready to try to hold on to these properties," said Suzanne Gill, director of communications for the diocese. "That's a reality everybody knows about."

Under Bishop Jack Iker, the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth has long been recognized as highly conservative, bucking the national leadership on issues such as ordination of female priests.

Leaders of the Dallas Diocese, also considered conservative, have expressed concern about the direction of the Episcopal Church but haven't taken steps to withdraw

Fort Worth Episcopal Diocese may flee national group
Dallas Morning News (subscription), TX -