At core of Anglican conflict, a 1,900-year-old tradition

http://www.thestar.com/living/Religion/article/308309

[The Toronto Star] 3 Mar 2008--Rev. James Packer, a leading conservative Anglican theologian, says the principle of episcopal loyalty is generally sound, but tends to fall apart when congregations find themselves at odds with their local bishop.

" In both Vancouver and Niagara, where the majority of congregations that have left the national church are located, a handful of parishes that are among the most conservative in the country find themselves headed by very liberal local bishops," he says.

In such a situation, Packer says, the strict geographic definition of Anglicanism doesn't work, and may have outlived its usefulness.

While he agrees that faithfulness to the bishop is a key component of being Anglican, Packer questions why it has to be the local bishop.