Clergy and lay members of the theologically conservative Pittsburgh diocese voted overwhelmingly Saturday to break from the liberal Episcopal Church, with which it differs on issues ranging from homosexuality to biblical teachings on salvation.

Assistant Bishop Henry Scriven said the vote means the Pittsburgh diocese is now more firmly aligned with the majority of the 77 million-member worldwide Anglican Communion, which is more conservative than the communion's 2.2 million-member U.S. church.

"I am delighted," Scriven said, "that what we have done today is bringing the Diocese of Pittsburgh back into the mainstream of worldwide Anglicanism."

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Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Anglican Provinces • Southern Cone • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Conflicts • TEC Conflicts: Pittsburgh • Sexuality Debate (in Anglican Communion) • Same-sex blessings • * Theology • Theology: Scripture

1. Irenaeus wrote: Yet another major news source recognizes that our disagreements go far deeper than “sexuality.” October 4, 5:27 pm | [comment link]

2. micah68 wrote: I have seen 2.3, 2.4, and 2.2 million member Episcopal church quoted in various stories this week. Is there any data on actual membership trends. October 4, 10:46 pm | [comment link]

3. Larry Morse wrote: I await Schori’s remark that there are few few dissidents in TEC but their numbers are miniscule.  Larry October 5, 6:50 am | [comment link]

4. Irenaeus wrote: “I await Schori’s remark that there are few dissidents in TEC but their numbers are miniscule” Larry [#3]: Wait long enough, and it will come true: (1) because so many more will leave; or (2) because ECUSA’s own numbers will be so small. October 5, 7:30 am | [comment link]

5. Michele wrote: Active Baptized Members 2,320,505 in 2006 Average Sunday Attendance 804,688 in 2006 October 5, 5:13 pm | [comment link]

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