Episcopal bishop to Christ Church:
Pay up or get out
Sunday, December 31, 2006

Debate escalates between conservative congregation and the Episcopal Church.

"The Mother Church of Georgia" has six months to decide whether to remain affiliated with the Episcopal Church in the USA or risk losing the historic house of worship.

The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia has given Christ Church until June 30 to "choose your path."

The debate stems from concerns within the conservative congregation that the Episcopal Church in the USA is becoming too liberal.

Officers of the downtown church told members in a Dec. 17 letter that the parish is bracing for a legal battle with the diocese, which oversees 70 parishes and missions.

"We are prepared to defend ourselves legally if such action would come against us," stated in an unsigned letter available on the church's Web site. The Rev. Marc Robertson, rector of Christ Church, was listed at the bottom of the letter, along with officers and 13 members of the governing board, known as the vestry. the rest Photos by Raymond Dague

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