Fort Worth Episcopal Diocese may split

FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Delegates to the Fort Worth (Texas) Episcopal Diocese's annual convention have taken a step toward severing ties with the Episcopal Church.

The movement toward splitting from the church is motivated in part by opposition to the church's policy on ordination of women and gay men and the blessing of same-sex unions, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Sunday.

Diocesan clergy and lay delegates voted overwhelmingly Saturday to reject a provision assenting to the authority of the Episcopal Church. With 2.1 million members, the church is the U.S. body of the Anglican Communion, but it has adopted more liberal policies than the worldwide communion, which has 75 million members.

Delegates meeting in Forth Worth adopted on first reading an amendment that affirmed membership with the Anglican Communion.

Final votes on the amendments are to be held at the diocese convention in 2008, diocesan officials said.