Valley's split Episcopal dioceses hold separate conventions

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/517459.html

[Merced Sun-Star] 28 Oct 2008--They weren't together this year. They were separated in different towns -- 33 miles apart.

For the first time in 49 years, two conventions were held for delegates who previously met at one convention under the governing body of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, based in Fresno.

At the 2007 convention, the last time delegates were together, they seceded from the U.S. Episcopal Church over differences with the national body's approval of same-sex blessings, ordination of a gay bishop, the role of women in the church and the authority of Scripture.

The result was a breakaway diocese now aligned with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A remaining diocese made up of congregations that didn't want to split is still connected to the U.S. Episcopal Church.