Drawing the line
Anglicans to Episcopal Church: Return to fold by Sept. 30 or face possible schism
By SUE NOWICKI BEE STAFF WRITER
March 3, 2007

The much-anticipated meeting of the Anglican Communion leaders in Tanzania is over and the line has been drawn in the sand: The U.S. Episcopal Church — part of the worldwide Anglican Communion — must agree by Sept. 30 not to consecrate another gay bishop or officiate at gay unions or it will face a reduced role in the Anglican family.

The communiqué was signed unanimously, including by U.S. Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori, who has fueled international furor with her liberal interpretation of Scripture and political statements.

The ultimatum is in line with the publicized desires of Bishop John-David Schofield of the Diocese of San Joaquin, headquartered in Fresno. He has accused the national church of wandering into apostasy and heresy.

He has positioned the diocese to remain in the Anglican Communion if, in fact, that body pushes the U.S. Episcopal Church to less than full status or an outright split. the rest