As Episcopalians move toward split, questions and painful decisions remain

From South Carolina-

South Carolina Episcopalians are headed for a painful split now that a majority of Lowcountry Episcopalians have sided with an emboldened Bishop Mark Lawrence in his standoff with, in Lawrence’s view, an increasing liberal and theologically-wobbly national church.

But questions remain about Lawrence’s authority to engineer a secession of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina from the Episcopal Church, which was approved by a majority of delegates Saturday at a special convention called by Lawrence in Charleston.

At issue, too, is the status of those Lowcountry Episcopalians who don’t agree with Lawrence’s decision to disassociate. At least 12 congregations among the 75 in the Lowcountry diocese have expressed a desire to remain with the American church, which is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Bishop W. Andrew Waldo, the head of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina, had hoped to avert this moment. Over the past few months, he has remained in conversation with his fellow South Carolina bishop, a man with whom he shares a rich friendship.

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 http://www.thestate.com/2012/11/23/2529851/as-episcopalians-move-toward-split.html#.UK97cEJOxH8#storylink=cpy