From The Wall Street Journal-
There is still talk of pain and loss. But not much of it.
Last November, the Episcopal diocese here in northeast Texas fractured over issues such as the ordination of women and gays, and the theology of salvation. A year later, both sides express one emotion above all: Relief.
The Episcopal Church, about two million strong, is the U.S. branch of the world-wide Anglican communion, which has about 80 million members. In the past few years, scores of individual churches and several entire dioceses have rejected the leadership of the national church and formed their own Anglican Church in North America, aligned with more conservative bishops in Africa and South America.
Complicating matters, the Vatican last month reached out to the disaffected faction in the U.S., offering to welcome them into the Roman Catholic fold. It was a dramatic gesture that seemed to further strain the already-divided Episcopal Church.
But at least here in the Fort Worth diocese, the pope's overture appears to have so far fallen flat. The reason? Life apart has left both sides surprisingly content.
They are still fighting a legal battle for control of church property and endowments. Yet the faithful from both factions have found the split reinvigorating; it has helped clarify their understanding of their central mission as Christians.
Those who have stayed with the national church have taken up their presiding bishop's calls to focus on serving the poor and hungry, and to embrace a broad view of God as welcoming not just Christians but also Muslims, Jews and others into his kingdom.
More here-
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125780717815139709.html
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