WEST TENNESSEE: TENSIONS AND THREATS ABOUND AT CONVENTION

WEST TENNESSEE: TENSIONS AND THREATS ABOUND AT CONVENTION

By Jeff Marx, Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Collierville

The Diocese of West Tennessee’s convention was marked by sharp division over the consecration of V. Gene Robinson—and the invitation of Bishop Chilton Knudsen of Maine, who co-consecrated him.

Though Bishop Don E. Johnson (who opposed Robinson) insisted the invitation predated the consecration and emphasized unity, several traditionalist priests—including Marx—declined to attend the Eucharist where Knudsen preached and concelebrated. Instead, over 1,200 gathered for Evening Prayer at St. Andrew’s, calling it the “high point” of the weekend.

Tensions escalated during resolution hearings. Three orthodox proposals—to renounce pro-homosexuality General Convention resolutions, affirm marriage as between one man and one woman, and support the orthodox Network—were blocked by the resolutions committee, which substituted a vague “unity” resolution calling only for “further dialogue.”

When traditionalists reintroduced their amendments on the floor, the debate remained civil but unsuccessful: none passed.

Marx addressed the assembly, stating:

“Besides Gene Robinson himself, who could you have placed at this altar to send a clearer message of where we stand than the person who consecrated him?”

He told Bishop Knudsen respectfully: “Had you spoken at any other time, we would have listened. But by consecrating Bishop Robinson against the united counsel of the Anglican Primates, you became the schismatic—not us.” He further charged that disregarding the Global South reflected “liberal racism—the most insidious kind, because its practitioners cannot believe themselves capable of it.”

The convention ended without affirming traditional marriage, rejecting Robinson’s ordination, or permitting affiliation with the Network—opting instead for more “dialogue,” which many traditionalists view as a delaying tactic.

Marx concluded: “Many are barely hanging on. We ask the Primates to hear: we did not commune, and do not wish to be in broken communion. We remain committed to faithful discipleship—and ask for prayer.”