SC Episcopalians to discuss charges by US church

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Episcopalian clergy from the Diocese of South Carolina meet next week to discuss charges by the national church that the local bishop has abandoned the Episcopal Church.

Bishop Mark Lawrence says Tuesday’s meeting will discuss implications and pray about the situation. The national church has also asked for the records of the standing committee of the diocese.

Two years ago, the diocese voted to distance itself from the national church because of its positions on same-sex unions and the ordination of gays. The diocese did not break with the national body.

The diocese is comprised of 75 parishes in the southern and eastern part of the state.

The 2 million-member Episcopal church is the U.S. branch of the Anglican Communion, which has 77 million members worldwide.