This week in Christian history: Episcopal diocese breaks away, St. Peter’s Basilica completed

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, November 14, 2021

South Carolina Diocese votes to leave Episcopal Church – Nov. 17, 2012

The Reverend Mark Lawrence, bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, on the steps of Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul in Charleston, South Carolina, in April of 2014. | Joy Hunter

This week marks the anniversary of when most of the leadership of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina voted to leave the Episcopal Church.

The vote was held at a convention attended by around 200 people, taking place at St. Philip’s Church in Charleston.

Two key issues had been the reported mistreatment of South Carolina Bishop Mark Lawrence by the national church leadership and increased theological differences between the mostly conservative diocese and the mostly progressive denomination.

One prominent point of contention was the Episcopal Church’s increased acceptance of same-sex romantic relationships, which Bishop Lawrence had been critical of in the past.

“This has never been about who is welcome or not welcome in our church,” stated Lawrence at the convention. “It’s about what we shall tell them when they come.”

The vote by diocesan leadership to disaffiliate was not officially recognized by the Episcopal Church, prompting several years of litigation over who rightfully owned the diocesan trademark and properties.