Here are the Numbers out of Virginia

In the next few weeks six more parishes in Virginia are going to vote on the question of whether or not to leave the Episcopal Church, following the lead taken today by Truro and the Falls Church. By some reckonings that may be 17% of the membership of the diocese taking leave before the end of the year. Bishop Lee has threatened to sue not only the parishes, but their vestry members personally, for the move. May God provide for these courageous Christians who are acting out of conscience and soften the hearts of liberal bishops who may be tempted to intimidate others like them into silence and passivity in the face of grave theological error.

Here are the numbers from the two large parishes that have just bolted, from the Press Release of Truro and the Falls Churches in Virginia:

Of the 1,348 eligible voting members casting ballots at The Falls Church this past week, 1,228, or 90 percent, voted in favor of the first question, or “resolution,” on the ballot about whether to sever ties. On the second and final resolution, 1,279 of 1,350 eligible members, or 94 percent, voted in favor of retaining the church’s real and personal property.

Of the 1,095 eligible voting members casting ballots at Truro Church, 1,010, or 92 percent voted in favor of severing ties. On the second resolution, 1,034 of 1,095 eligible members, or 94 percent, voted in favor of retaining Truro’s real and personal property. Both churches used essentially identical ballots.