We Want a New Bishop

Six Episcopal congregations in Florida have asked Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams to let them report to another bishop. Williams is leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which includes the Episcopal Church USA. The parishes, with about 4,000 members, say they're "in serious theological dispute" with Florida Bishop John Howard because he did not oppose the 2003 consecration of Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who lives with a homosexual partner after divorcing his wife. The rector of one of the dissident churches says they believe that getting another bishop would allow them to conduct their ministries "with a clean conscience." Last week, Bishop Howard rejected the congregations' request, saying it would amount to a divorce between the churches and the diocese.