Episcopal Press and News

Diocese of Florida Withholds Funds on Theological Grounds

Episcopal News Service. December 4, 1997 [97-2039B]

(ENS) The diocesan council of the Diocese of Florida passed a resolution in October that holds its percentage of giving to the national church at just over 10 percent, about half of the 21 percent established by last summer's General Convention as a sign of protest. The resolution also urged steps "to restore the seriously eroded trust in the national leadership of the Episcopal Church," including: asking Presiding Bishop-elect Frank T. Griswold III to remove his name from the Koinonia Statement that emerged during a debate on sexuality in the 1994 House of Bishops meeting in Indianapolis, declaring that sexual orientation was "morally neutral," that the church should move towards blessing same sex unions and accepting gay and lesbian clergy; sponsoring an independent national survey on "the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats perceived by all members of the Episcopal Church at this critical time in our journey;" report on recent audits of trust funds "with clarity and integrity" to the whole church. The resolution said it would revisit its decision at the June 1998 meeting of the diocesan council. The resolution now goes to the Diocesan Convention in January of 1998.