SC diocese: Bishop probe could mean parish attacks

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The Diocese of South Carolina says its bishop is being accused of abandoning the Episcopal faith in a process that doesn’t allow him to know his accusers.

The diocese released a statement Wednesday following a closed-door meeting of more than 100 clergy on Tuesday.

Mark Lawrence was recently contacted by the national church’s Disciplinary Board for Bishops. The panel said that, based on information from churchgoers in the diocese, he is alleged to have abandoned the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church.

The statement said the probe could lead to a deposition of Lawrence and attacks on the diocese with its 73 member parishes and missions. The diocese has distanced itself from the national church in part because of its ordaining of gay bishops and sanctioning gay unions.