OHIO: CONSERVATIVE ANGLICAN LEADERS RESPOND TO CONFIRMATION SERVICE

(Consolidated from statements by Canon Kendall Harmon, Rev. Todd Wetzel, Rev. Dr. David Moyer)

Conservative Anglican leaders hailed the Ohio confirmation—led by five retired U.S. bishops and an international prelate from Brazil—as a necessary act of pastoral courage amid systemic ecclesial breakdown.

Canon Kendall Harmon (Diocese of South Carolina) framed the event as a consequence of what he called “the arrogance” of Episcopal leadership in departing from historic Christian teaching on sexuality and authority—actions “unilateral” and contrary to global Anglican consensus. He lamented that traditional Episcopalians in Ohio were left with no recourse but to seek oversight from faithful bishops abroad, noting similar developments in Georgia, Wyoming, and Kentucky.

He emphasized: “The canons were made for the church, not the church for the canons,” urging bishops to awaken to the “profound misstep” of redefining Christian orthodoxy—and to implement the Primates’ 2003 call for “Adequate Episcopal Oversight” without further delay.

Rev. Todd Wetzel (Anglicans United) accused the liberal wing of long practicing “ecclesiastical disobedience”—ordaining non-celibate gay clergy and blessing same-sex unions despite repeated General Convention prohibitions—until approval was finally secured in 2003. He argued that conservatives now have equal moral ground to act “in good conscience” when led by bishops deemed unorthodox.

Citing Ohio’s membership decline—from over 40,000 to fewer than 24,000 in two decades—he insisted traditional parishes deserve “Godly oversight,” defined by fidelity to Scripture and historic Anglican formularies.

Rev. Dr. David Moyer (Forward in Faith/North America) affirmed the action as pastoral, not provocative—echoing earlier emergency confirmations (e.g., Rosemont, PA, 2000). He underscored the need for apostolic oversight grounded in biblical Christianity and announced FIF/NA’s alignment with the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes (NACDP) toward realignment.

Collectively, these voices rejected claims of schism, insisting they remain within the Anglican fold—though under alternative oversight—while calling for structural reform.