Episcopal bishops oust California member

The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops voted March 12 to officially oust a conservative bishop who last year led his California diocese to secede and join a more like-minded Anglican province.

Bishop John-David Schofield of the Fresno-based Diocese of San Joaquin is the first bishop removed for breaking ties with the national church since feuds over homosexuality and the Bible erupted in 2003.

Schofield maintains that the Episcopal Church has no jurisdiction over him. "I am still an active Anglican bishop, and I continue to be the bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin," Schofield said.

Last December, the San Joaquin Diocese voted to secede from the Episcopal Church and place itself under the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, which is based in South America. (RNS)