Why is alternative oversight of dissenting parishes an issue?
It shouldn’t be. A diocese is a geographical unit. Diversity of belief and approach within the diocese is healthy and represents the diversity of the Episcopal Church. To insist on dealing only with a bishop or other similar-thinking parishes is to narrow the Episcopal Church and lose what can be learned from other approaches. If we believe the historic documents of the church, alternative oversight is unnecessary. Article XXIII of the Articles of Religion defines a lawful minister as a person “chosen and called to this work by men who have public authority given unto them in the Congregation, to call and send Ministers.” Thus anyone ordained or consecrated following the usual procedures of the ECUSA is a valid minister. A belief that a bishop or priest has been immoral does not negate the validity of the orders. Article XXVI states that the worthiness or unworthiness of a minister does not affect the validity of the sacraments. These two Articles were the Anglican way of declaring the
