Saying that the Episcopal Church lacked accountability, the rectors of two parishes in the Diocese of Olympia told the Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner on Oct. 19 that their congregations had voted overwhelmingly to seek independence from the Episcopal Church and to affiliate with the Rt. Rev. Robinson Cavalcanti, Bishop of Recife in the Anglican Province of Brazil.

Contacted in London by telephone on Oct. 20, Bishop Cavalcanti said his decision to accept pastoral care for the two parishes was “a temporary pastoral response to an emergency and the continued defiance [of Windsor Report recommendations] by North American bishops.” Bishop Cavalcanti added that he is prepared to offer oversight to at least two other Episcopal churches and that there would be many more unless the American and Canadian bishops honor the moratorium on further same-sex blessings and the ordination of non-celibate homosexual persons called for by the Lambeth Commission on Communion in the Windsor Report.

“We did not create this problem,” Bishop Cavalcanti said. “There are moments in history when we must be willing to make a stand.”

After statements indicating that blessings and ordinations would likely continue from the Presiding Bishop and a number of diocesan bishops, including Bishop Warner, Bishop Cavalcanti said he informed St. Stephen’s Church, Oak Harbor, and St. Charles’, Poulsbo, Wash., that their applications for pastoral oversight had been accepted. Shortly thereafter the Rev. Carol Harlacher, rector of St. Stephen’s, and the Rev. Duncan Clark, rector of St. Charles’, met personally with Bishop Warner to inform him. While painful and sad, both sides agree the ensuing meeting was congenial and respectful.

“On behalf of our church, I asked Bishop Warner that St. Stephen’s be allowed to continue to worship and serve from its own church buildings which parishioners have paid for and maintained for 50 years,” Ms. Harlacher said. “I asked him to look into his heart and ask himself what the Lord would have him do.”

The two congregations have removed the word “Episcopal” from their signs and replaced them with “Anglican.”

Bishop Warner, who had not yet consulted with other diocesan officials, told The Seattle Times that he was stunned.

“I just sat there with tears in my eyes,” he told the Times. “I think it’s going to be problematic. We’ve got to find a way of openness and compassion. At the same time, you can’t have it every way you want it.”