Orlando 'Pan-Anglican' Conference Addressing Episcopal Church's Strength After Schism is Rescheduled

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- Death or hospitalization of three prime speakers and developing events within the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion have resulted in rescheduling an educational conference on remedying the churches’ schismatic challenges. It was to be in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 20 and 21, but now has been rescheduled to Feb. 28 and Mar. 1, 2007 in Orlando.

The event is the U.S. Pan-Anglican Restoration and Renewal Conference, with a theme of “One Christian Question for Episcopalians.”

Lay Episcopalians for the Anglican Communion, underwriter of the conference, reported that two bishops with primary teaching roles will be hospitalized or in post-surgical care during the conference’s original dates. Bishop Keith L. Ackerman will be in a medical center undergoing diagnostic investigation. Bishop Peter H. Beckwith was hospitalized for back surgery yesterday (Monday). National lay leader Lee A. Buck, the meeting’s honorary chairman and also a principal speaker, died after the conference had been announced.

The new dates afford improved timing, following critical high-level meetings of leading archbishops and bishops in December and next February. Four bishops and 20 other Episcopal and Anglican authorities comprise the faculty of the conference. link