Heresy better idea than schism?

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Heresy is better than schism, the Episcopal bishop of Virginia said yesterday in a speech that gently chided church conservatives for imperiling the unity of the country's largest diocese over the consecration of the denomination's first homosexual bishop last November.

"If you must make a choice between heresy and schism, always choose heresy," said the Rt. Rev. Peter J. Lee to 500 Episcopalians meeting for the annual diocesan council at the Hyatt Regency in Reston.

"For as a heretic, you are only guilty of a wrong opinion," Bishop Lee said, quoting Presbyterian scholar James McCord. "As a schismatic, you have torn and divided the body of Christ. Choose heresy every time."

After delegates applauded him, he added, "I hope we will avoid both heresy and schism."

Since V. Gene Robinson was elected bishop-designate of New Hampshire on Aug. 5 at the Episcopal General Convention in Minneapolis, 24 parishes in the huge Virginia diocese partially or totally cut off funding to the diocese, resulting in an immediate $257,554 drop in funds.

The diocese's 2004 budget now shows a $900,000 drop in income from 2003 because it was discovered that 64 parishes in all would be contributing less money, diocesan treasurer Mike Kerr said. Hearings were held yesterday afternoon on ways to bring the budget up to $3.9 million, cutting the deficit back to $845,203.

Bishop Lee made it clear that the spiritual heads of churches strongly disagree with him.

"I am aware that some of our congregations are so unhappy with my decisions at General Convention that they will not welcome my visits to them," he said. "I remind you that Christian communities often consist of solidarities not of our choosing. Our faith teaches that people with who we differ often have important truths to teach us."

The bishop, who will have led the diocese for 20 years on Feb. 11, also announced he will allow a theologically orthodox bishop to enter his diocese to minister to several thousand conservatives who fill his largest parishes.