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 deeply polarized over the invitation of Bishop Chilton Knudsen of Maine—co-consecrator of V. Gene Robinson—despite Bishop Don E. Johnson’s insistence (he himself voted against Robinson) that the invitation predated the controversy and reflected his commitment to unity.

Several traditionalist priests, including Marx, declined to attend the Eucharist where Knudsen preached and concelebrated. Instead, over 1,200 worshippers gathered at St. Andrew’s for Evening Prayer—calling it “the high point of the weekend.”

Three orthodox resolutions—to renounce pro-homosexuality General Convention actions, affirm marriage as between one man and one woman, and support affiliation with the orthodox Anglican Communion Network—were blocked by the resolutions committee. A vague “unity” resolution calling only for “further dialogue” was substituted.

When reintroduced as floor amendments, the proposals sparked respectful but unsuccessful debate. Marx addressed the assembly, stating:

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

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

The convention closed without affirming traditional marriage, rejecting Robinson’s ordination, or permitting Network affiliation—opting instead for more “dialogue,” which many see as delay.

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.”