EPISCOPALIANS MAY LIMIT CHURCH FUNDING

Episcopalians may limit church funding.

Gay debate to dominate state meeting.

By Leanne Graves

American Staff Writer

Mississippi Episcopalians, upset with the Episcopal Church USA's stance on homosexuality, could decide to withhold money from the national church when they gather this week in Hattiesburg.

More than 800 church members from around the state are expected to participate in the 177th annual council at Lake Terrace Convention Center.

The conference is the first in Mississippi since the consecration of openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire in 2003 and the approval of same-sex unions.

The Rev. Reed Freeman, rector at Trinity Episcopal Church in Hattiesburg, said his church probably lost some members over the controversy, but said those who left may be people who weren't involved in the church.

"Faithful members have hardly left," he said. "Many people, in spite of great personal disagreement, have chosen to remain in the body of Christ and not to break that up. I think that's very commendable."

Tom Price, a member of Hattiesburg's Episcopal Church of the Ascension, said he doesn't believe his church will split from the national organization over the gay issue.

"Nationally I know that exists, but I don't know how prevalent it is in Mississippi," said Price. "At Ascension, I don't anticipate a split from the Diocese of Mississippi or the Episcopal Church. I think the attitude is wait and see."

Freeman also said he doesn't think his congregation wants to split from the national church. "I believe our congregation is firmly committed to not only remaining a part of the Anglican community, but to the Episcopal Church of the United States," he said.

The 2.3 million-member Episcopal Church USA is a branch of the Anglican Church.

Among the resolutions to be considered this weekend is one that calls for the Mississippi Diocese to withhold part of its funding to the national church.

In 2003, the diocese gave $440,000 of its $2.3 million budget to the national church.

"I do know in Mississippi in 2004 at this council there will be a reduction in the amount that goes to the national church," Price said.

Other resolutions call for:

Supporting Mississippi Bishop Duncan Gray III for opposing the ordination of homosexuals.

Bishop Gray to "declare that a state of impaired communion exists" between the Mississippi Diocese and those that recognize same-sex unions.

If approved, the resolution would mean that a member of the Mississippi Diocese could not take communion at churches that recognize same-sex unions.

Freeman said the debate about the New Hampshire bishop and same-sex unions has had a positive impact.

"There have been a lot of people brought into conversation about the spiritual side respecting the Scripture and understanding the Scripture," he said. "The opinions on the appropriateness of it (the election) are still split. The debate continues."

Amanda Price, 21, a member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Vicksburg, said Robinson's sexual preference isn't the issue.

"I don't have a problem with his sexuality, but he is living with his partner. If that were a priest that was straight, they wouldn't be bishop," she said. Amanda Price is not related to Tom Price.

"They kind of made an exception. Putting him in a position of authority isn't respectful of the sanctity of marriage."

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Resolutions –

Resolutions presented to 177th Annual Council – Mississippi

Resolution: 1

Affirmation of the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III. Be it resolved by the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, at its 177th annual council, that it does hereby support and affirm the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III in his stand to uphold the norm for the ordination of persons living single, celibate lives, or in heterosexual marriage, and his refusal to authorize the blessing of same-gender unions.

Resolution: 2

Giving to the National Church. Be it resolved by the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, at its 177th annual council, that the Executive Committee of the diocese be and are hereby instructed to reevaluate and reconsider the 21% proportionate giving to the Episcopal Church of the United States, and that the said amount be reduced.

Resolution: 3

Payment to the National Church. Resolved that this 177th council of the Diocese of Mississippi urges the Bishop and the officers of the diocese to withhold that aforesaid portion of the annual payment to the national church that would ordinarily be used to fund the operation of the national church office and the House of Bishops until such time as there is an assurance that the practices of the ECUSA will conform to those of the Anglican Communion around the world and thus not cause offense to our brother and sister churches that are in communion with us. These monies are to be used for our own mission work and/or given to relief work in other Anglican dioceses in Africa.

Resolution: 4

Voluntary Process for Nominations. Resolved that the 177th annual council recognizes that service to the diocese and to the parish and missions within this diocese is an important ministry to which many, both lay and clerical, may feel called to serve; and, resolved that the process of nominations may, for some people and under some circumstances, become an obstacle for those who would like to be considered for election but who are not nominated; and, resolved that volunteering for service and for ministry should be encouraged and supported both within the diocesan structure and within the parishes and missions of this diocese; be it further resolved that for all elective positions within this diocese, except for that of bishop, and for all elective positions within the parishes and missions of this diocese, volunteers to stand for election will be sought and will be given an opportunity to come forward prior to the institution of any nomination procedures; and be it further resolved that, if, for any elective position, at least twice the number of people to be elected have volunteered to stand for election, there shall be no nominations of individuals.

Resolution: 5

Declaration of Impaired Communion. Be it resolved by the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, at its 177th annual council, that the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III, be encouraged to declare that a state of impaired communion exists between the Diocese of Mississippi and the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, the Diocese of New Hampshire, and any and all dioceses in the Episcopal Church of the United States that are currently engaging in the practice of blessing same-gender unions.

Resolution: 6

Actions of General Convention. Resolved that the 177th annual council of the Diocese of Mississippi formally repudiates the actions of the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) in consent to the consecration of Canon Gene Robinson to the office of bishop and in approving Resolution C051 on the blessing of same-sex unions, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Presiding Bishop of ECUSA, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and all primates of the Anglican Communion.

Resolution: 7

Wrongful and Unconstitutional Actions of the 74th General Convention. Be it resolved that the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi at its 177th annual council holds that the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church exceeded its authority and departed from its constitution, in confirming the election as bishop of a non-celibate homosexual man and in permitting same-sex blessings, separating itself from the Anglican Communion and from the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, directly rejecting its solemn responsibility to uphold and propagate the historic faith and order, as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer. These acts are thus held to be null and void, and of no effect, in the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi.

Resolution: 8

Adequate Primatial Oversight. Be it resolved that the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, at its 177th annual council, does hereby request the Bishop and Standing Committee of the diocese to seek other primatial oversight as a dissenting minority diocese, from a primate not to include the Presiding Bishop of the United States, rather directly to or through the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Resolution: 9

Upholding of Scripture. Be it resolved by the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, at its 177th annual council, that the Diocese of Mississippi will always consider matters of doctrine within the context of Scripture, the Anglican tradition (as defined by Anglican formularies, prayer books and ordinals), and reason.

Resolution: 10

Property Issues. Be it resolved that the Bishop and Chancellor appoint a commission to study how a parish, mission, or other ministry in the diocese may request and obtain uncontested title to its property if desired. We request that a report (and, if necessary, enabling legislation) be prepared for consideration by our 2005 diocesan convention.

End.