At Friday's convention, officials passed five resolutions quickly and overwhelmingly. Four pertained directly or indirectly to the current crisis.

Barbara Mann, president of the Episcopal Forum of South Carolina, a group of about 500 who advocate loyalty to the Episcopal Church, said she was saddened by the antagonistic tone of the convention.

"I think what disturbed me most was the battle language," she said. "They have separated themselves even more from the Episcopal Church."

Mostly, the resolutions were restatements of existing positions or angry expressions of concern, Mann said. But she interpreted the call for "a generous pastoral response to parishes in conflict" with the church to signify a willingness on the part of the bishop to permit dissenting parishes to leave the church.

Jim Lewis, the diocese's canon to the ordinary, said the language simply means that the bishop has discretion to exercise his authority over these parishes as he sees fit.

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Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori • TEC Bishops • TEC Conflicts • Instruments of Unity • Sexuality Debate (in Anglican Communion) • Same-sex blessings • * Culture-Watch • Law & Legal Issues • * South Carolina

1. Village Vicar wrote: Adam Parker is not a bad writer, but I have to admit that this so called “news” article irritates me.  One brief comment from the Canon to the Ordinary and many column inches given to laments and statements from folks who are the lead representatives of the minority view in the diocese.  Perhaps they were in attendance in the visitors section, but I don’t recall seeing either Steve Skardon or Barbara Mann there.  Furthermore, I am sorry that this article did not think to mention the inspiring sermon freom Dean Munday who identified the three greatest challenges facing the Episcopal Church as Evangelism, World Mission and Youth Ministry (not any of the other stuff that tends to get identified as the *most* important ).  Nor, did AP mention the remarkable news that a settlement has been reached between All Saints Waccamaw AMiA and All Saints Waccamaw Episcopal.  This may be the biggest news of all about the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of SC.  Some “reporting”! March 27, 11:50 am | [comment link]

2. Kendall Harmon wrote: I saw and spoke briefly to Barbara Mann, and I saw Steve Skardon but didn’t have the opportunity to speak to him. March 27, 1:10 pm | [comment link]

3. Village Vicar wrote: Thank you.  I stand corrected. March 27, 4:02 pm | [comment link]

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