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| US Church splits over gay rights | US Church splits over gay rights |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| A Californian diocese has voted to become the first to break away from the US Episcopal Church in protest at its support for gays in the Church. | A Californian diocese has voted to become the first to break away from the US Episcopal Church in protest at its support for gays in the Church. |
| Delegates of the San Joaquin diocese in Fresno voted 173-22 to secede. | Delegates of the San Joaquin diocese in Fresno voted 173-22 to secede. |
| It follows years of disagreement with Church authorities triggered by the consecration of a gay bishop in 2003. | It follows years of disagreement with Church authorities triggered by the consecration of a gay bishop in 2003. |
| The Episcopal Church is the US wing of the 77m-member Anglican Communion, which is threatened by a deep split between conservatives and liberals. | The Episcopal Church is the US wing of the 77m-member Anglican Communion, which is threatened by a deep split between conservatives and liberals. |
| The Episcopal Church says that in recent years 32 of its 7,600 congregations had left, with another 23 voting to leave but not taking the final step. | The Episcopal Church says that in recent years 32 of its 7,600 congregations had left, with another 23 voting to leave but not taking the final step. |
| San Joaquin is the first of the Church's 110 dioceses to complete the split. | San Joaquin is the first of the Church's 110 dioceses to complete the split. |
| In a later vote, the diocese accepted an invitation to join a conservative South American Anglican congregation. | In a later vote, the diocese accepted an invitation to join a conservative South American Anglican congregation. |
| 'Contrary to teachings' | 'Contrary to teachings' |
| "This is the first time, I believe, that a diocese has finally said 'enough' in terms of the liberal theology of the Episcopal Church," said Bishop John-David Schofield of the San Joaquin diocese ahead of the vote. | "This is the first time, I believe, that a diocese has finally said 'enough' in terms of the liberal theology of the Episcopal Church," said Bishop John-David Schofield of the San Joaquin diocese ahead of the vote. |
| Anglican leaders in many parts of the world were angered by the consecration of openly-gay Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire in 2003. | Anglican leaders in many parts of the world were angered by the consecration of openly-gay Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire in 2003. |
| Conservative churchgoers believe active homosexuality is contrary to the Anglican Communion's teachings, which are rooted in the Bible. | |
| However, liberal Anglicans have argued that biblical teachings on justice and inclusion should take precedence. | However, liberal Anglicans have argued that biblical teachings on justice and inclusion should take precedence. |