Californian diocese invited to break with Episcopal Church

The Diocese of San Joaquin in California has received a formal invitation to break with the national Episcopal Church of the USA over the issue of the ordination of homosexuals and women.

The Anglican Church of the Southern Cone in Argentina has invited the diocese to be identified with them, in shared opposition to same-sex unions, rather than with the US Episcopal Church.

In early December a convention will be held in Fresno in which delegates will decide whether or not to accept the invitation.

Such a move would lead to a re-writing of the diocese's constitution and bring its trust fund under control of the Bishop of the diocese, John-David Schofield.

Should the diocese accept the invitation it would be the first diocese to leave the US Episcopal Church.