FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rev. John T. Sorensen: 528/569-1494, or: Christopher Wilkins: 412/831-1737 or 412/760-8817 (cell); ciwilkins@juno.com.

Via Media USA Regrets Diocese of Albany Vote to Join the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes

June 16, 2004, Plattsburgh, NY

Via Media USA, an alliance of diocesan-based groups committed to the unity and integrity of The Episcopal Church, expresses its regret that the Episcopal Diocese of Albany has approved a resolution to join the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes. Desiring to give support to conservative Episcopalians who are opposed to certain recent decisions by The Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Albany has taken an action that, in Via Media USA’s view, does significant harm to that cause, and threatens harm to the rest of the church. “I have become convinced that the Network seeks either to seize control of The Episcopal Church by whatever means it can, or else try to steal conservative Episcopalians out of it for good,” said Via Media USA Facilitator Christopher Wilkins.

At its annual diocesan convention on June 12 in Speculator, New York, the resolution was approved by clergy, consisting of priests and locally ordained deacons, with a wide margin, 89-36. This was 71% for, 29% against.  In the parish vote, with each parish of the diocese casting one vote, the tally was much closer at 60-42. This was 59% for, and a strong 41% of congregations opposing the Network.  The vote was done by orders, meaning that each “order” (clergy and parishes) must have a majority for the measure to pass.

Albany Bishop Daniel Herzog had heavily promoted the Network in the diocese beginning in January 2004, when it was chartered, but the lack of open conversation pushed the clergy towards increased polarization.  Albany Via Media, a moderate group working for unity within the diocese, had pointed out the dangers of Network membership for the diocese, but Herzog’s campaign to push for Network membership was successful.

The resolution was examined during an hour-long floor debate, with alternating two-minute speeches, pro and con, that were lively and candid. Generally, opponents of the Network called to mind the intentions of some in the Episcopal Church to use the Network as an instrument of division, a first step towards realignment or schism. Last weekend’s calls from “Plano West” in Long Beach, CA, that the Network be recognized by the primates as a separate church overshadowed the debate. But proponents hailed the network as an instrument of unity, an association that would prevent the wholesale departure from the Episcopal Church of conservatives.

In his convention address the evening before the vote, Herzog made it clear that he sees Albany’s Network role in the Northeast as helping keep the “orthodox” within the Episcopal Church.  He said that The Archbishop of Canterbury at breakfast with Bishop Herzog and several others “expressed support for a Network to work within the Church.”  Herzog was conciliatory in his convention address and referred to Albany Via Media as a “friend” despite its opposition and that of a large minority of the parishes and clergy to the resolution.

Via Media USA, along with Albany Via Media, is concerned that Network membership may make it difficult for some congregations to choose clergy who disagree with Network stands. Many have noted an influx of more conservative clergy into the diocese in recent years and fear that they will not be allowed to choose moderate or liberal clergy for their moderate or liberal parishes. In this matter, Albany Via Media hopes to continue the good-faith relationship with the bishop on behalf of the more moderate and liberal parishes who seek to be faithful to their own traditions in Christ.
“These are uncertain times in the life of the church, ” said Rev. John T. Sorensen, co-president of Albany Via Media, who pledged to “continue to uphold Saint Paul’s vision of the Body of Christ described in I Corinthians 12, that we are all members of Christ. The church is enriched by the gifts of all of us, of each member of the Body of Christ: Conservative or liberal, male or female, rich or poor, gay or straight, black or white. We say to no one, ‘I have no need of you.’

“Now that the Diocese of Albany has officially joined the Network we in Albany Via Media will do our best as faithful Episcopalians to see that the Diocese of Albany’s participation in the Network remains faithfully ‘within’ the Episcopal Church,” Sorensen said. “I hope for a cooperative relationship between Albany Via Media and our bishop, as we remain faithful to the Episcopal Church and to our own sense of the depth and breadth of Anglicanism we call the middle way, the via media. We ask the prayers of the larger church for our diocese.”

“I regret the decision the Diocese of Albany has made to join the Network,” said Dr. Wilkins, “but I understand the pain some conservatives are feeling. However, I think the Network’s schismatic actions and intentions will, if further implemented, make matters worse, not better, for them and for all Episcopalians.”

For more information on Via Media USA, please visit www.viamediausa.org.

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