CENTRAL FLORIDA: FUNDS WILL BE REDIRECTED TO ORTHODOX NETWORK

By David W. Virtue

April 17, 2004

The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida has voted overwhelmingly to redirect funds to the Anglican Communion Network (ACN), becoming the first diocese in the United States to do so formally.

Members of the Diocesan Board approved a resolution designating approximately $20,000 in retroactive funding for 2004 to the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes.

The diocese has long maintained a mechanism for redirecting funds away from the national church. Following the Episcopal Church’s controversial 2003 General Convention—particularly its approval of the consecration of Gene Robinson, an openly gay bishop—the Diocese of Central Florida held a special convention in November 2003 that reversed the default funding allocation: now, vestries must actively submit resolutions to send money to the national church budget; otherwise, funds remain under diocesan control.

Currently, only 15% of the national apportionment is directed to ECUSA’s program budget. The remaining 85% is disbursed by the Diocesan Board to mission partners including Honduras, the South American Missionary Society (SAMS), Anglican Frontier Missions, and Episcopal World Mission.

The Rt. Rev. Robert W. Duncan, Moderator of the ACN, welcomed the decision:

“I am delighted about the Diocese of Central Florida’s decision to redirect funds to the Anglican Communion Network. Such funding will greatly assist the ACN in addressing domestic needs and fulfilling its commitment to missions—both in the United States and abroad—including support for Global Mission Partners. The ACN is most grateful to receive this generous support.”

Nationwide, ECUSA’s budget receipts are down at least 6%. While church officials attribute this shortfall to broader economic conditions, many dioceses report reduced giving—or deliberate redirection of funds—as a direct response to the 2003 General Convention.

For example, Missouri, Colorado, West Tennessee, North Carolina, Western New York, and Virginia have seen giving drop 10–30% over the past nine months. By contrast, dioceses taking firm stands against the 2003 decisions often report relative stability or even growth: the Diocese of Pittsburgh recently announced a $130,000 surplus for 2003.

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