Colorado: Collection Plate Down 20 Percent After Gay Bishop Named

By Eric Gorski, Denver Post

The Colorado Episcopal Diocese projects a 20% pledge shortfall in 2004—$350,000 below target—due to conservative parishioners restricting diocesan giving in protest of Bishop Gene Robinson’s consecration. Some parishes redirected funds to causes like a Tanzanian hospital or Habitat for Humanity. At Grace and St. Stephen’s (Colorado Springs), pledges to the diocese fell from $107,000 to $11,000. Bishop Rob O’Neill acknowledged the emotional stakes but questioned the protest’s effectiveness, noting that diocesan funds support youth ministry and new congregations—not “a political agenda.” Nationally, the shortfall is milder (~6%).

England: Archbishop of Canterbury Meets with AMIA Leadership

3 March 2004

Archbishop Rowan Williams hosted AMIA bishops Chuck Murphy and T.J. Johnston at Lambeth Palace, along with sponsoring Primates Emmanuel Kolini (Rwanda) and Yong Ping Chung (South East Asia). Bishop Murphy called the talks “constructive” and said they increased mutual understanding. The meeting—originally scheduled for October 2003 but postponed due to the Robinson crisis—reflects growing engagement with AMIA, a Rwanda-affiliated missionary effort with 65 U.S. congregations focused on church planting and evangelism among the unchurched.

Nigeria: Primate Shuns London Talks Over Robinson Consecration

Lagos, 2 March 2004

Archbishop Peter Akinola, primate of Nigeria’s 17-million-member Anglican Church, boycotted the London Anglican Consultative Committee meeting in protest of ECUSA’s presence. In a letter from General Secretary Oluranti Odubogun, Akinola stated he “could not sit down with ECUSA” without undermining African leaders who have severed ties over Robinson’s consecration. The letter recalled African bishops’ 2003 warning that ECUSA would “remove themselves from the fellowship” if Robinson’s ministry was not rescinded. Akinola remains “baffled” that the Anglican Communion Office treats the issue as if it “does not really matter.”

(Note: Entry 448—“Nigeria: Primate’s Snub Points to Communion Split”—has been removed as a near-duplicate of 446, though it adds context about the Joint Standing Committee and Central Africa’s stance. That key detail is retained in the intro summary above.)

Bad Doctrine Turned Episcopal Church Into a Political Circus — By Bishop Kelshaw

Bishop Terence Kelshaw, Diocese of the Rio Grande

Following the Plano meeting, orthodox Episcopalians formed the Network to remain in ECUSA while resisting doctrinal revisionism—not to schism, but to uphold biblical orthodoxy. Kelshaw rejects majority rule in matters of faith: “The majority is not the arbiter.” He warns that bad doctrine—not disagreement—has weakened mission, politicized parishes, and turned the Church into a “caricature of the political circus.” The Network, he insists, is voluntary and pastoral: sign on if you wish; stay if you choose—but let Scripture, not sentiment, guide the Church.

Pittsburgh: NACDP Network Moves into High Gear

March 2–4, 2004

The Anglican Communion Network’s Steering Committee met in Pittsburgh and elected Convocation Deans for regional structures (Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Mid-Continental, Western, FiFNA). They defined the Network as a “biblically driven missionary movement,” adopted mission/vision statements, and approved forming a Missionary Society to welcome those leaving ECUSA and seekers of orthodox Anglicanism. The American Anglican Council was named provisional Secretariat. Six dioceses (Central Florida, Ft. Worth, Pittsburgh, Rio Grande, San Joaquin, Springfield) and FiFNA have ratified association.

Ireland: Church of Ireland to Have Same-Sex Blessings “Within Two Years”?

Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy

Rev. Dr. David Short (Vancouver), whose parish left the New Westminster diocese after same-sex rites were approved, warned Church of Ireland leaders that similar developments may follow within two years—mirroring the trajectory of his former diocese. He criticized the “listening process” that prioritizes experience over Scripture and stressed that biblical authority—not cultural accommodation—must guide communion. Short noted that New Westminster’s conservative parishes now uphold Anglican orthodoxy more faithfully than their bishop and have gained recognition from five Primates and Archbishop George Carey.