The "mother church" for Georgia Anglicans has decided to leave the Episcopal Church as the split in that denomination widens.
The Episcopal Church has been strained in recent years by the consecration of gay bishops and other issues. The Rev. Marc Robertson says, his congregation can no longer support the Episcopal Church.
"We find ourselves in disagreement with where the Episcopal Church is on these matters and also where they seem to be going," Robertson says.
Robertson's congregation has decided to place themselves under the authority of a conservative faction. Episcopal diocese spokesman the Rev. James Parker says, the congregation can't just quit.
"It's sad that we haven't been able to do as we have done for so many hundreds of years, maintain a big tent," Parker says.
The split sets up a potential legal fight over church property, including its historic downtown sanctuary, valued at $3 million.
The Episcopal Church has been strained in recent years by the consecration of gay bishops and other issues. The Rev. Marc Robertson says, his congregation can no longer support the Episcopal Church.
"We find ourselves in disagreement with where the Episcopal Church is on these matters and also where they seem to be going," Robertson says.
Robertson's congregation has decided to place themselves under the authority of a conservative faction. Episcopal diocese spokesman the Rev. James Parker says, the congregation can't just quit.
"It's sad that we haven't been able to do as we have done for so many hundreds of years, maintain a big tent," Parker says.
The split sets up a potential legal fight over church property, including its historic downtown sanctuary, valued at $3 million.
