Episcopalians see hopeful signs amid loss of N.H. congregation,
commend Albany and New Hampshire Bishops

Pittsburgh, Pa., and Plattsburgh, N.Y. - June 29, 2004 -

Via Media USA (VMUSA), an alliance of groups seeking Episcopal Church unity, mourns the
loss of a New Hampshire congregation but lauds efforts by two bishops who tried to prevent it.

Members of the Church of the Redeemer in Rochester, N.H., recently left The
Episcopal Church because of their unhappiness that the Bishop of New
Hampshire, V. Gene Robinson, is openly homosexual. A number of efforts were
launched to keep the congregation together, including arrangements for
oversight by the Bishop of Albany, Daniel Herzog, but to no avail.

"In spite of what has happened, there are hopeful signs in this unfortunate
story," said VMUSA Steering Committee Facilitator Christopher Wilkins. "In
this case, two bishops worked together to try to help one parish stay
united. We at Via Media USA are dedicated to efforts to maintain unity
within the church during this difficult time in the full belief that there
is room for everyone at God's table. These bishops' efforts are a sign that
we can and should work together."

Recognizing unrest in conservative parishes because of Robinson's election
last year, the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops created a Designated
Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (DEPO) plan to allow such parishes to be
attended to by like-minded bishops. In an effort to keep the Church of the
Redeemer from splitting, Bishop Robinson made arrangements for Bishop Herzog
to oversee the parish and offered to return a popular priest who had been
removed by a previous bishop.

The congregation apparently was advised to accept the arrangements by Dean
William Murdoch of the Northeast Convocation of the Network of Anglican
Communion Dioceses and Parishes, a group unhappy with sexuality issues in
the national church.

"We are pleased that there was Network support for using the very generous
DEPO plan devised by the House of Bishops, and we hope that the Network will
now let the disgruntled parishioners depart in peace to find a more
compatible church home on their own," added Dr. Wilkins.

Via Media USA is pleased that both Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams
and the chair of his Lambeth Commission, Archbishop Robin Eames, were
impressed with the generosity of Bishop Robinson's proposals. The alliance
is particularly grateful for the role played by Bishop Herzog.

The Albany diocese, home to two Via Media groups, recently joined the
Network. Bishop Herzog argued that the move was designed to preserve, not to
split, the Episcopal Church.

"Bishop Herzog has shown grace and charity, seeking to use the network
constructively to enable the House of Bishops' DEPO plan to provide
episcopal pastoral oversight," said Fr. John Sorensen of Albany Via Media.

Concerned Episcopalians of St. Lawrence Deanery likewise commended Bishop
Herzog for his "effort and cooperation" shown in the attempt to resolve the
New Hampshire conflict.

"Via Media USA prays that, should a similar opportunity arise for a parish
to utilize the DEPO plan, all parties involved will find a graceful way to
remain within our beloved church," added Dr. Wilkins.