Episcopal Press and News
Historic Parish Takes First Step to Leave Diocese of Quincy
Episcopal News Service. February 2, 1993 [93023]
Jeffrey Penn
Members of St. John's Episcopal Church in Quincy, Illinois, have voted to begin a process that would separate the parish from the Diocese of Quincy and the Episcopal Church.
According to a report in the diocese's newspaper, the Harvest Plain, a sizable majority of parishioners at the January 17 annual meeting supported a resolution authorizing the rector and vestry of the parish to "enter negotiations with the bishop of the Diocese of Quincy for its separation from the Episcopal Church." The resolution was adopted by a vote of 75 in favor and 20 opposed.
At issue for many members of the parish was continuing opposition to the Episcopal Church's 1979 revision of the Book of Common Prayer and the 1976 decision to ordain women to the priesthood. St. John's was the second parish in the Episcopal Church to join the Episcopal Synod of America, an organization of traditionalists opposed to what they consider liberal trends in the church.
"It was with great sadness that we heard of St. John's rather definitive vote...to leave the Episcopal Church," said Quincy Bishop Edward MacBurey, according to the Harvest Plain. "I do not, as yet, have the particulars of their decision, but have been assured that their move out from us is not immediate. There are many issues in such a proposal and these will be explored with representatives from St. John's and our own Standing Committee and chancellors," he added. "The loss of one of our major parishes would be a serious challenge to our viability as a diocese."
St. John's Church, completed in 1853 and currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the oldest church buildings in Quincy, Illinois, a small city located on the Mississippi River in the central part of the state. It was the cathedral of the diocese until 1962, when the St. Paul's Church in Peoria was designated the cathedral.
The Rev. Garrett Clanton, rector of St. John's since 1982, told the Harvest Plain that the parish would seek to conduct negotiations in a low profile and reasonable manner and with a sense of obligation on the part of the parish to the diocese. Yet, in an interesting twist, the parish stated that it does not intend to separate from the diocese as long as MacBurney continues to serve as diocesan bishop -- perhaps as long as three years, after which the bishop has said he plans to retire.
MacBurney said that bishops from so-called "continuing churches," and former Episcopal Bishop Donald Davies, met with St. Johns' parishioners in recent months to suggest options for the future. "I think after the vote of the Church of England's General Synod [to approve the ordination of women] and the fear that Quincy might not be able to receive consent if it elects another conservative bishop when I retire contributed to their decision," MacBurney said in a telephone interview.
Although MacBurney said that the parish's vote has put them in "a kind of limbo," he declined to speculate whether there might be a battle for control of St. John's property and other assets. "This is a unique situation, and I think we will have to wait and see what develops."
"The standing committee will, of course, have to act in accordance with the constitution and canons of the church in relating to this matter," said the Rev. James Marshall, president of the standing committee. "And above all, we will be seeking God's strength and guidance to do his will," he said.