Archbishop did not endorse Southern Cone invitation - spokesman

A spokesman for the Anglican Communion has said this week that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, did not endorse an invitation by the Southern Cone Primate Gregory Venables to oversee the Diocese of San Joaquin.

The Diocese of San Joaquin voted at its 48th Convention on Saturday to become the first diocese to formally split from the US Episcopal Church over the issue of homosexuality, removing all references to the Church from its constitution.

In a statement on Monday, the Anglican Communion spokesman affirmed: "Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has not in any way endorsed the actions of the Primate of the Southern Cone, Bishop Gregory Venables, in his welcoming of dioceses, such as San Joaquin in the Episcopal Church, to become part of his province in South America."

Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the split173 to 22 due to the liberal path being taken by the US Episcopal Church on same sex blessings and homosexual bishops.

The Diocese of San Joaquin will now align itself with the conservative Anglican Province of the Southern Cone in South America, headed by Archbishop Gregory Venables of Argentina.

The clarification from the Anglican Communion spokesman is intended to dispel the perception that the Archbishop of Canterbury had endorsed the diocese's decision.

The Bishop of San Joaquin, the Rt Rev John-David Schofield, had implied prior to the Convention that San Joaquin had the approval of Dr Williams in transferring oversight to the Southern Cone.

"According to well-informed sources, the Archbishop of Canterbury has been fully informed of the invitation of the Province of the Southern Cone and described it as a 'sensible way forward'," he wrote in a November 16 pastoral letter.

Presiding Bishop of the US Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori expressed her sadness at San Joaquin's departure but added that the Episcopal diocese would continue under new leadership.

"The Episcopal Church receives with sadness the news that some members of this church have made a decision to leave this church," she said in a statement after the vote.

"We deeply regret their unwillingness or inability to live within the historical Anglican understanding of comprehensiveness. We wish them to know of our prayers for them and their journey. The Episcopal Church will continue in the Diocese of San Joaquin, albeit with new leadership."

In the meantime, the Rev Robert Moore has been appointed by Jefferts Schori to provide ongoing pastoral care for those who have decided to remain in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.