S.C. Diocese disaffiliates from Episcopal Church

The Diocese of South Carolina announced Oct. 17 that it has disaffiliated from the Episcopal Church.

South Carolina said the split was triggered by disciplinary action taken against Bishop Mark Lawrence. 

Twelve lay Episcopalians and two priests brought the charges against Lawrence. The denomination’s Disciplinary Board for Bishops found him guilty of abandoning the Episcopal Church and renouncing its rules in September.

In a broad sense, the split was prompted by theological differences over homosexuality. The Episcopal Church has ordained gay and lesbian bishops and voted this summer to allow the blessing of same-sex unions. Lawrence has called such moves “the false gospel of indiscriminate inclusivity.”  

(RNS)