From Albany-Episcopal Bishop William H. Love and six fellow conservative bishops filed a statement of support this spring in Texas appeals court for a breakaway church faction battling with the national church.
Now, the seven bishops are the target of a complaint lodged by a church member.
The court case arises from a 2008 split in the Fort Worth Diocese that has played out against the splintering in the church over the ordination of gay clergy and other issues related to sexuality.
Bishop Jack Iker and breakaway parishes in Fort Worth sought to retain title to church property as they broke with the Episcopal Church.
"To date, I have not seen a copy of the 'complaint,' nor do I know who issued it, or what it says," Love stated in a June 30 letter posted on the Diocese of Albany website.
The amicus curae, or friend of the court, brief filed by Love and Bishops Maurice M. Benitez, John W. Howe, Paul E. Lambert, D. Bruce MacPherson, Daniel H. Martins and James M. Stanton argues that the Episcopal Church's hierarchical structure does not go beyond the individual diocese. This opposes national church's stance and that of the Fort Worth Diocese.
"They're supporting a lost cause. Apparently, someone in the wider church feels they stepped over the line," Bob Dodd, president of Albany Via Media, a group of moderate to liberal Episcopalians, said Monday.
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http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Bishop-faces-church-discipline-3680238.php#ixzz1zYcBGW1o
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