ORTHODOX EPISCOPALIANS CALL FOR NEW NORTH AMERICAN PROVINCE

SPECIAL REPORT

By David W. Virtue

LONG BEACH, CA (6/4/2004)--Orthodox Episcopalians meeting here at Plano-West have issued a call for the Anglican Communion Network to be recognized as a true Anglican province in North America if ECUSA does not repent.

The grass roots statement issued by the Plano-West steering committee made up of clergy and laity, is the boldest and most hard-hitting statement since the Anglican Communion Network was formed.

It asks for a full recognition of the Anglican Communion Network by the Primates as the legitimate arm of orthodoxy in The Episcopal Church, USA.

The group also demands the immediate cessation of the "blessing" of same-sex unions; discipline and censure of ECUSA for its ongoing ungodly actions.

The group asked for measures to be taken to uphold Holy Scripture as authoritative in the life and practice of the Anglican church and to take such measures as are necessary to uphold the apostolic, historic and orthodox teachings of the church.

The Plano-West statement affirmed the authority of the Word of God and Jesus Christ as the only Lord and Savior of the world.

They also said the following:

We proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and support those who do. Support the planting of new churches. Uphold the sanctity of life. Marriage between one man and one woman, and marriage as God's sole provision for sexual relations. The rejection of all teachings and claims of revelation that are contrary to Holy Scripture or the apostolic teaching of the church. Pray and support faithful, orthodox Anglicans inn the Global South and in North America noting specifically the crisis in Canada.

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