Local believers discuss church split

While many say choice wasn't about gay, women clergy, others call area church leaders misleading
BY LOUIS MEDINA
Bakersfield (CA) Californian
Dec 10 2007

As the dust began to settle after the San Joaquin Episcopal Diocese's vote Saturday to become Anglican, local believers Monday opened up about the diocese's split from the U.S. Episcopal Church.

Many in favor said the choice to secede wasn't about the highly profiled debates about women and gay clergy or same-sex unions, but about fundamental beliefs that strike at the heart of the Christian faith.

"The actions at our Diocesan Convention and in the resolutions that removed us from the Episcopal Church, not one word, not one statement regarding human sexuality was included in that," said the Rev. John Riebe, rector of All Saints Episcopal Church, which he said would most likely be changing its name to All Saints Anglican Church.

It's all here …and forgive us if this strikes us as ominous for the future of some San Joaquin congregations...

A representative of the Diocesan Office said that Schofield told the news media Friday during the convention that individual parishes within the diocese are free to remain in the Episcopal Church as long as they settle any outstanding debts first.

So...what does that mean for the 20 San Joaquin congregations (out of 56) currently in mission status?