S.C. Bishop Distances Diocese from Episcopal Church

Religion News Service reports that the bishop of South Carolina has suggested that his diocese withdraw from the denomination's governing bodies. "We face a multitude of false teachings," Bishop Mark Lawrence told clergy from the 75 congregations in his diocese last Thursday (Aug. 13), "which like an intrusive vine is threatening the Episcopal Church as we have inherited it and received it from our ancestors." The bishop walked a fine line in his address to clergy Thursday, proposing that the diocese clearly distance itself from the Episcopal Church, but not advocating a full break with the denomination at this time. Lawrence has suggested special resolutions that would register dissent with recent pro-gay actions and remove the diocese from "all bodies of governance" in the Episcopal Church that have assented to the pro-gay moves.