Kentucky
congregation splits, partly over gay bishop

A new congregation in Elizabethtown, Ky., will meet Sunday after some former members of Christ Church decided to leave partly over the way the Episcopal Church is dealing with gays. Holy Apostles, the new church, is being formed by more than 100 former members of Christ Church in Elizabethtown. The group is the first to break away in the diocese of Kentucky, which includes Louisville and the western part of the state. The appointment of Kentucky native V. Gene Robinson, who is openly gay, as bishop for the diocese of New Hampshire was the "catalytical event" in the formation of Holy Apostles, said the Reverend Kent Litchfield, its founding pastor. Robinson's ordination was supported in 2003 by Bishop Edwin "Ted" Gulick and other representatives of the diocese of Kentucky. Litchfield, 66, retired as rector of Christ Church last month. Litchfield's church will be part of the Anglican Communion Network, an American-based group, and will be under the bishop of Bolivia. Starting the new church is "about the authority of Scripture," Litchfield said. "We're trying to get back to the authority of Scripture." He said the Episcopal Church is acquiescing to cultural pressures and has lost its moral high ground. The new church's first service will be Sunday in the State Theater gallery in Elizabethtown. Robinson's ordination and a decision at the same time to create rites to bless same-sex unions have left some conservative members of the Episcopal Church questioning its faithfulness to the teachings of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Gulick was unavailable for comment Tuesday. His principal assistant, Canon James B. Magness, said diocesan officials are assisting Christ Church in finding a new rector. "We regret and are saddened that he's [Litchfield] done this," Magness said. "On the other hand, that doesn't change any of the processes that we have in the works for Christ Church of Elizabethtown." Although he considers himself to be conservative, Magness said he believes that the Episcopal Church must make room for discussion among members whose beliefs differ within the religion. "It's a struggle," he said. "I don't deny that." (AP)