From The Telegraph: ++Venables Offers to Become Primate of Some U.S. Dioceses

From the Telegraph (boldfaced emphasis added):

"... Archbishop Gregory Venables [of the Province of the Southern Cone] is to allow conservative dioceses that are defecting from the pro-gay American branch of Anglicanism to affiliate with his South American province thousands of miles away. ...

The British-born Archbishop, who is the Primate of the Province of the Southern Cone, told the Telegraph: "This is a pivotal moment in the history of the Anglican Communion.

"The new realignment demonstrates the depths of the divisions that already exist. "

Dr Williams appears to want to keep the Communion together at all costs, but Gospel truth should never be sacrificed for structural unity.

"Conservatives in America and elsewhere cannot wait in limbo any longer. They need a safe haven now."

Archbishop Venables unveiled the decision of his bishops and other leaders after the plans were overwhelmingly approved by his provincial synod during a meeting in Chile last night.

A handful of conservative American dioceses are already in the process of opting out of the Episcopal Church by voting in their diocesan synods to alter their constitutions.

Up to five are expected to become part of the Southern Cone, which covers most of South America except Brazil, over the next six months or so."

Read the full story here.

As you know, the diocese of Fort Worth will be voting next week on the first reading of changes to our diocesan constitution and canons that would allow us to affiliate with another province of the world-wide Anglican Communion. Please pray for wisdom for the leaders and people of our diocese and for the good clergy and people of the Province of the Southern Cone at this crucial time.

A story on the same topic from The Living Church may be found here.