There have been numerous reports of individual churches withdrawing from the American Episcopal Communion and requesting to come under the supervision of more conservative African bishops because of disagreements in ordination standards.  These withdrawals have led, like in the PC(USA), to disputes over property with a variety of different results in civil courts.

Now the Diocese of San Joaquin has voted over the weekend at their Annual Convention, by a vote of 176 to 28, to change their “Anglican Identity” to a world-wide view rather a strictly American identity.  This is the first reading and will require a second affirmative vote at the next convention.  This convention is expected to be in a year but Bishop Schofield has said that some factors could advance or delay that vote, basically challenging the American Church that if they are aggressive against the diocese the diocese will bolt earlier.  There are press releases from both the diocese and the national office.

Leading up to the convention there was an interesting exchange of letters beginning with a letter of November 20 from The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church with a response from the Bishop of San Joaquin Diocese, the Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled debates in reformed circles.