The Diocese of Central Florida has appealed to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Panel of Reference for “immediate alternative primatial oversight,” making it the fifth diocese of The Episcopal Church to request assistance from Canterbury since the close of the 75th General Convention.

At a joint meeting of the standing committee and diocesan council June 29 the diocese voted, with one abstention and no dissenting votes to seek “immediate alternative primatial oversight,” joining the Anglican Communion Network affiliated dioceses of South Carolina, Pittsburgh, Fort Worth, and San Joaquin in the request.

The election of the Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori as 26th Presiding Bishop was an occasion of sorrow for Central Florida, a statement released following the meeting said. Central Florida objected to her consent to the consecration of the Bishop of New Hampshire at the 74th General Convention, and her support for the blessing of same-sex unions in her diocese.

These actions led Central Florida to “question her ability to lead The Episcopal Church in the process of healing and restoration clearly outlined in The Windsor Report.”

The actions of the 74th and 75th General Conventions had sparked a “constitutional crisis within The Episcopal Church with respect to its stated status as ‘Constituent Member of the Anglican Communion’,” the diocese argued, and indicated a desire by The Episcopal Church “to ‘walk apart’ from not only the Anglican Communion but also the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ.”

Central Florida was not withdrawing from The Episcopal Church and noted its appeal and disassociation from the actions of General Convention did not “violate the canons of the Episcopal Church.”

Further action would be taken at the diocese’s Jan. 27 convention, where “we will study the constitutional crisis in which we find ourselves and consider the various constitutional, canonical, financial, and spiritual options available.”

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