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The Widening Division in the Anglican Communion

The Anglican Communion's disagreement over orthodoxy and practice has involved many issues that affect the church as a whole: homosexuality, ordination, property ownership, and global leadership are among the bones of contention. In the past year, Global South leaders issued an ultimatum for the U.S. Episcopal Church to return to orthodox interpretation of Scripture, four U.S. dioceses took steps to exit the church, and the basis for a conservative new Anglican province in the U.S.was laid.

Recent Developments

Defending the Faith
Conservatives face huge obstacles in putting Anglicanism back together.
by Timothy C. Morgan in Canterbury and Jerusalem | posted 10/13/2008

The Come-Back Bishop
Ousted conservative sees a new center emerging in the Christian West.
Interview by Timothy C. Morgan | posted 10/13/2008

Virginia Judge Sides with Breakaway Episcopal Churches
Decision confirms April ruling in favor of Falls Church et al., saying the 1867 law that would allow them to retain property is constitutional.
by Daniel Burke, Religion News Service | posted 06/30/2008

Episcopal Headquarters Takes Steps to Remove Conservative Bishops
One has led a diocese out of the national Anglican body, two others are preparing to go.
by George Conger | posted 01/18/2008

Global Ultimatum
The larger meaning of Anglican leaders' demand that the Episcopal Church change its ways.
Timothy C. Morgan in Tanzania and Zanzibar | posted 3/16/2007 09:35AM

'Federation' Charts New Frontier
Orthodox Anglicans take first step in creating their own U.S. church body.
Sheryl Henderson Blunt | posted 11/12/2007 09:08AM

Episcopal Bishops in Pa. Suspended, Warned
Philadelphia's liberal bishop accused of protecting abuser; Pittsburgh's conservative bishop warned against abandonment as diocese changes constitution.
Daniel Burke, Religion News Service | posted 11/06/2007 08:46AM

Bowing to Kigali
Importing orthodoxy—and cultural baggage.
Ted Olsen | posted 11/05/2007 08:47AM

Episcopalians Head to High-Stakes Meeting
The years-long strife in the Anglican Communion could reach a breaking point next week in New Orleans.
Daniel Burke, Religion News Service | posted 9/13/2007 03:08PM

Anglicans Turn Inside Out
Episcopal renewal group's new strategy divides conservatives.
Sheryl Henderson Blunt | posted 9/11/2007 08:55AM

Rwandan Politics Intrudes on American Church
Archbishop told Anglican congregation to cancel talk by Hotel Rwanda subject Paul Rusesabagina.
Sarah Pulliam | posted 9/10/2007 11:29AM

Ready to Walk Apart?
Episcopal bishops reject oversight from "distant" prelates.
Timothy C. Morgan | posted 3/22/2007 09:04AM

Church Divorce Done Right
Denominational splits just aren't what they used to be.
Ted Olsen | posted 3/07/2007 09:09AM

Dividing the Faithful
Conservatives fleeing the Episcopal Church regroup—apart.
Madison Trammel | posted 2/09/2007 09:09AM

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Christianity Today Editorials

Sailing Off into Irrelevance
The Episcopal Church's rejection of orthodoxy is sobering for evangelicals.
A Christianity Today editorial | posted 11/25/2003

Coming Attractions
Gay activism is not just found in liberal churches
A Christianity Today editorial | posted 07/28/2003

A Tutsi's Hope
A Zairean bishop wants American Christians to remember the struggles of the church in East Africa
A Christianity Today guest editorial by E. M. Kolini | posted 4/7/1997

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General Conventions

Gays in the Church Debated
Conservatives press Episcopal convention to repent of gay bishop's consecration.
Douglas LeBlanc in Columbus, Ohio | posted 6/16/2006 12:00AM

To My Episcopal Family
Final thoughts from the Episcopal Church's General Convention.
By Douglas LeBlanc | posted 08/08/2003

Conservative Episcopalians Challenge Church Politics as Usual
"A Place to Stand" conference combines unofficial convention, pep rally, and communiqué to Anglican leaders.
By Douglas LeBlanc in Dallas | posted 10/08/2003

Falling Apart
Controversial decisions at the recent General Convention have accelerated the break-up of the Episcopal Church.
Douglas LeBlanc | posted 8/01/2006 12:00AM

Episcopalian General Convention Adopts Vague Resolution
Call for 'restraint' in consecration of practicing gays falls short of recommendations of Anglican leaders.
Douglas LeBlanc | posted 6/22/2006 12:00AM

General Convention Brushes Against Its Deadline
Conservatives, liberals can't agree on response to the Windsor Report.
Douglas LeBlanc in Columbus, Ohio | posted 6/21/2006 12:00AM

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Windsor Report 2004

Windsor Report Leaves Conservative Episcopalians Hopping Mad
Conservative network leader: "The disease of the U.S. church has found its way into this report."
By Douglas LeBlanc | posted 10/19/2004

Stronger Action Needed, Say Global Anglican Leaders
"The primates will add teeth" to Windsor Report, conservatives predict, hope.
By Kathleen Rutledge | posted 10/19/2004

Disappointed Anglican Conservatives Mull Options, Threaten Revolt
Americans must belong to Episcopal Church, report says.
By Kevin Eckstrom, Religion News Service | posted 10/19/2004

Report Rebukes Episcopalians for Disunity but Declines Sanctions
U.S. church in limbo as conservative dissidents mull their options.
By Kevin Eckstrom and Robert Nowell in London, Religion News Service | posted 10/18/2004

Weblog: Anglican Report Treats Conservatives Harsher than Liberals
News, predictions that commission would sanction Episcopal Church were greatly exaggerated.
Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted 10/18/2004

Anglican Primates Respond to the Windsor Report
What church leaders from around the world are saying about the Eames Commission and the future of Anglicanism.
Compiled by Barbara Gauthier | posted 10/18/2004

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Anglican Primates Meeting 2003

An Anglican Rorschach Test
Conservatives and liberals fide hope in statement.
By Douglas LeBlanc in Dallas | posted 12/02/2003

The Gay Bishop's Global Fallout
How each of the 39 provinces in the Anglican Communion have responded to Sunday's consecration.
Compiled by Rob Moll | posted 11/07/2003

Translating the Anglican Primates
Interpretations vary widely on what last week's statement means, how forceful it was, and what's next.
By Ted Olsen | posted 10/21/2003

One-and-One-Half Cheers for the Anglican Primates' Statement
An interview with theologian—and longtime Anglican—J. I. Packer
By Mark Galli | posted 10/17/2003

Dispatch: Conservatives Just Got Clobbered
Last week's American Anglican Council meeting in Texas announced victory prematurely
By Douglas LeBlanc | posted 10/17/2003

Weblog: Early Responses to the Anglican Primates' Statement
Both sides seem happy as the Episcopal Church USA promises to go ahead with its gay bishop ordination
Compiled by Rob Moll with Ted Olsen | posted 10/17/2003

Anglican Leaders Criticize Episcopal Church, Canada's New Westminster Diocese on Homosexual Actions
Future of the Anglican unity "in jeopardy," they say, but don't break communion—yet
By Ted Olsen | posted 10/16/2003

Anglicanism's Communion of Saints
Under the somber portraits of their predecessors, Anglican archbishops will discuss the fractious issues of the church and homosexuality
By Andrew Carey in London | posted 10/15/2003

Weblog: Where Else to Go for News and Analysis of the Anglican Primates' Meeting
The best (and worst) articles and sites monitoring the breakup of the world's third-largest Christian body
Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted 10/15/2003

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Gene Robinson Election and Consecration

To My Episcopal Family
Final thoughts from the Episcopal Church's General Convention.
By Douglas LeBlanc | posted 08/08/2003

Bishops Sanction 'Resources,' Not Rites
Having confirmed gay bishop, Episcopal leaders turn to discussing same-sex unions.
By Douglas LeBlanc, at the Episcopal Church's General Convention | posted 08/07/2003

Darkness in the Afternoon
Openly homosexual Episcopal priest cleared of misconduct, confirmed as bishop
By Douglas LeBlanc, at the Episcopal Church's General Convention | posted 08/06/2003

The Bitter Harvest of Sexual Ideology
No one wanted the Gene Robinson bishopric debate to take this sad turn
By Douglas LeBlanc, at the Episcopal Church's General Convention | posted 08/05/2003

Deputies Slice into the Gordian Knot
The Episcopal Church's House of Deputies approves Gene Robinson as New Hampshire Bishop. The House of Bishops will vote today.
By Douglas LeBlanc, at the Episcopal Church's General Convention | posted 08/04/2003

Praise the Lord and Pass the Condoms
Southern Hemisphere primates warned that approving Gene Robinson would place the church outside most of the world's 72 million Anglicans. "You'll get over it," responded about 60 percent of the House of Deputies.
By Douglas LeBlanc, at the Episcopal Church's General Convention | posted 08/04/2003

Gene Robinson Takes Questions in a Church called Gethsemane
Speaks on reparative therapy, potential schism, and whether he really "/left" his wife for his male lover.
By Douglas LeBlanc, at the Episcopal Church's General Convention | posted 08/04/2003

What in the World Is God Doing?
For Episcopalians, the night may be darkest before the dawn.
By Douglas LeBlanc, at the Episcopal Church's General Convention | posted 08/04/2003

Integrity Doles Out God's Not-So Inclusive Love
The Integrity Eucharist has become a triennial sort of mass pity party.
By Douglas LeBlanc, at the Episcopal Church's General Convention | posted 08/01/2003

Gay Rites Would Not Bless Ecumenism
Could also impair Anglican work overseas.
By Douglas LeBlanc, at the Episcopal Church's General Convention | posted 08/01/2003

Gene and Me
My history with the openly gay man elected bishop of Rochester.
By Douglas LeBlanc, at the Episcopal Church's General Convention | posted 07/31/2003

Weblog: Is Anglicanism's First Election of an Openly Gay Bishop an Exit Sign?
New Hampshire Episcopalians elect gay bishop
Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted 06/09/2003

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New Westminster Diocese and Same-Sex Unions

Why I Walked
Sometimes loving a denomination requires you to fight.
by J. I. Packer | posted 01/03/2003

Sanctifying Sin
Statement affirming homosexual unions roils Anglicans.
By Debra Fieguth in St. Catharines | posted 07/14/2004

Canadian Anglicans Face Off
Bishops hold charges against dissenting clergy, but division and suspicion abound.
By Peter T. Chattaway in Vancouver | posted 12/09/2003

Orthodox Canadian Anglicans on Alert
Firings, attempted lockout in Anglican New Westminster diocese
Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted 09/09/2003

Anglican Diocese Endorses Same-Sex Unions
Traditionalists walk out, issue global call for outside intervention.
Peter T. Chattaway in Vancouver | posted 07/12/2002

Anglican Communion Frays
Bishops worldwide chastise Canadian bishop who approved gay unions.
By Peter T. Chattaway in Vancouver | posted 07/09/03

Mortified in Vancouver
A church's actions can be in conflict with its professed faith only so long before faithful Christians wonder how much hypocrisy they can stand.
By Peter T. Chattaway in Vancouver, British Columbia | posted 06/17/2002

Vancouver Anglicans Approve Same-Sex Unions
Conservatives walk out after synod vote to bless gay couples.
By Peter T. Chattaway in Vancouver, British Columbia | posted 06/17/2002

Canadian Anglicans Vote on Blessing Gay Unions
Anglican diocese in Canada may bless gay unions.
Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted 06/13/2002

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Alternative Oversight and Conservative Exodus

'Federation' Charts New Frontier
Orthodox Anglicans take first step in creating their own U.S. church body.
Sheryl Henderson Blunt | posted 11/12/2007 09:08AM

Bowing to Kigali
Importing orthodoxy—and cultural baggage.
Ted Olsen | posted 11/05/2007 08:47AM

Anglicans Turn Inside Out
Episcopal renewal group's new strategy divides conservatives.
Sheryl Henderson Blunt | posted 9/11/2007 08:55AM

Rwandan Politics Intrudes on American Church
Archbishop told Anglican congregation to cancel talk by Hotel Rwanda subject Paul Rusesabagina.
Sarah Pulliam | posted 9/10/2007 11:29AM

Ready to Walk Apart?
Episcopal bishops reject oversight from "distant" prelates.
Timothy C. Morgan | posted 3/22/2007 09:04AM

Dividing the Faithful
Conservatives fleeing the Episcopal Church regroup—apart.
Madison Trammel | posted 2/09/2007 09:09AM

Global Anglicans Flex Muscle
Conservative bishops join forces to counter potent revisionist wing.
Timothy C. Morgan | posted 1/01/2006 12:00AM

Out of Africa
The leader of nearly 18 million Nigerian Anglicans challenges the West's theology and control.
by Douglas LeBlanc

Anglicans 'Severely Wounded'
At a top summit in Egypt, conservatives call for a Scripture-affirming covenant.
by Timothy C. Morgan in Ain Sukhna, Suez

Conservative Anglicans Elated and Cautious
Withdrawal request welcomed, but some wish statement had been stronger. By George Conger in Newry, Northern Ireland

So, Who Owns the Sanctuary?
Dissenting mainline churches struggle to retain their property.
By Kathleen K. Rutledge | posted posted 09/17/2004

A Slow Exodus
Disaffected orthodox Episcopalians start new ministries.
By Frank E. Lockwood in Versailles, Kentucky | posted 05/27/2004

Florida Bishop Defies Episcopal Church Head
The consecration of a new bishop becomes the latest battleground between Frank Griswold and the American Anglican Council.
By Douglas LeBlanc | posted 10/10/2003

Reimagining Anglican Bonds of Affection
Orthodox American leaders begin describing what realignment of the Anglican Communion might look like.
By Douglas LeBlanc in Dallas | posted 10/09/2003

A Holy Nuisance
J.I. Packer has strong words for those who don't feel called to agitate for reform.
David Neff | posted 01/03/2003

Healing Genocides at Home and Abroad
The Most Reverend Emmanuel Kolini, the Anglican archbishop of Rwanda and bishop of Kigali, has problems.
By David Neff | posted 8/4/2000

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Who Are the Anglicans?

Our Brothers and Sisters, the Episcopalians
The Episcopal Church needs our help. Here's why we should give it.
By Chris Armstrong | posted 10/03/2003

The African Lion Roars in the Western Church
Anglican liberals are fretting, conservatives rejoicing, and all are scrambling to their history books: whence this new evangelical force on the world scene?
By Chris Armstrong | posted 06/27/2003

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Other

Episcopal Headquarters Takes Steps to Remove Conservative Bishops
One has led a diocese out of the national Anglican body, two others are preparing to go.
by George Conger | posted 01/18/2008

Global Ultimatum
The larger meaning of Anglican leaders' demand that the Episcopal Church change its ways.
Timothy C. Morgan in Tanzania and Zanzibar | posted 3/16/2007 09:35AM

Church Divorce Done Right
Denominational splits just aren't what they used to be.
Ted Olsen | posted 3/07/2007 09:09AM

Episcopalians Elect Female Nevada Bishop as Top Leader
Conservatives see election as confirmation of church's 'revisionist theology,' while one diocese appeals for alternative oversight.
Daniel Burke and Kevin Eckstrom, Religion News Service | posted 6/19/2006 12:00AM

Living with Tares
Why I stay in a church that has seriously strayed from biblical teaching.
Edward S. Little II | posted 3/01/2006 12:00AM

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