In an afternoon meeting, Nov. 14, the Rev. Phil Ashey, informed the Diocese of Virginia that he had resigned as missioner of South Riding Church in Fairfax and that the congregation had voted to withdraw from the Episcopal Church and affiliate with the Rt. Rev. Benezeri Kisembo, Bishop of Rwenzori in the Anglican Church of Uganda.

Since he was appointed to lead the “congregation in formation,” in July, 2002, average Sunday attendance has grown from two adults to 90 at South Riding church. In a press release issued by the diocese the following day, the Rt. Rev. Peter Lee, Bishop of Virginia, noted with sadness that the congregation “had chosen to break with the body,” but reaffirmed that Fr. Ashey remained under his canonical authority “until disciplinary action is taken if any.” On Nov. 17, a reporter from The Living Church spoke with Fr. Ashey about these events.

TLC: Was your decision to leave based on the call made by Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola at the “Hope and a Future” conference last week in Pittsburgh?

Fr. Ashey: No, the congregation has been in conversation about this since February, 2004. Last Sunday we voted. Eighty six percent of the adults eligible to vote, took part and 84 percent of those voting chose to leave. Only two adults voted to stay.

TLC: Why leave now, just as the Diocese of Virginia is ready to establish a commission to try and work through these differences?

Fr. Ashey: Whatever results from those negotiations will not address our primary concern that General Convention has abandoned scripture. Nothing can change the fact that a new and foreign gospel is being pushed.

TLC: Now that you are no longer a congregation of the Episcopal Church, can you explain how you fit into the Anglican Communion Network structure?

Fr. Ashey: We are an American Anglican Council parish. Now that we have made a decision to leave, we will become a Network partner. That is different than being a Network member. In order to be a parish member of the Network, you have to belong to the Episcopal Church. It’s a fluid and spirit-drive partnership. We share many of the same goals and platform.

TLC: What was your meeting with the bishop like?

Fr. Ashey: We met with Bishop [suffragan. David C.] Jones. There were mutual expressions of grief and sorrow at our parting. He was very gracious and even prayed that God would bless our congregation as we sought to move on.

TLC: What was your assessment of Bishop Lee’s claim that you remain under his canonical authority?

Fr. Ashey: I don’t know what to make of it. On the one hand I’m flattered that he wants to hold on to me. On the other hand, we’re already gone.

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