PITTSBURGH  Conservative Episcopalians are set to form a new network of theologically orthodox churches and dioceses.
According to the Washington Times, the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes, led by Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan, will be inaugurated at Christ Episcopal Church in Plano, Texas, Jan. 19-20. Delegates are expected to approve a 15-point theological platform, which is posted at the organization's Web site.
The group formed in opposition to the consecration of the denomination's first openly homosexual bishop, the Rev. Bishop V. Gene Robinson.
In a Dec. 15 letter to clergy and lay leaders in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Duncan insisted his plan has the backing of Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, leader of the 77 million-member Anglican Communion.
Duncan said the network is "essential to prevent the orthodox minority from being marginalized," He called it "a gathering place for those who stand in solidarity regarding the repudiation of the anti-Scriptural decisions of the General Convention."
Robinson's election as Bishop of New Hampshire was confirmed at the Episcopal General Convention last summer.
The network includes the dioceses of Pittsburgh; Albany, N.Y.; San Joaquin (Fresno, Calif.); South Carolina; Florida; Central Florida; Southwest Florida; Dallas; Fort Worth; Quincy (Peoria, Ill.); Springfield, Ill.; Western Kansas; and Rio Grande (New Mexico and west Texas) the newspaper reported.
There was no official response about the convention from Episcopal Church headquarters, the newspaper reported.
"The strategy of the network is not completely clear," said Jim Solheim, spokesman for the national church. "One big issue is whether they will enter dioceses without the permission of the bishop."
