Delegates attending the 26th annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth on November 15 overwhelmingly approved realignment with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone.
It was the fourth time within 12 months that members of a diocese severed ties to the Episcopal Church, which has a total of 110
dioceses.
With little debate or emotion, about 200 delegates, meeting at St Vincent's Episcopal Cathedral School, voted 73 for, 20 against in the clergy order, and 98-28 among laity to realign with the Argentina-based province.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said after the vote: "The Episcopal Church grieves the departures of a number of
persons from the Diocese of Fort Worth. We remind those former Episcopalians that the door is open if they wish to return.
"We will work with Episcopalians in the Diocese of Fort Worth to elect new leadership and continue the work of the gospel in that part of Texas. The gospel work to which Jesus calls us demands the best efforts of faithful people from many theological and social perspectives, and the Episcopal Church will continue to welcome that diversity."
Diocesan Bishop Jack Iker, who has said nothing will change in the day-to-day operations of the diocese, read a letter from Archbishop Gregory Venables, welcoming Fort Worth into the Southern Cone.
• Full story:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_102536_ENG_HTM.htm