More U.S. Episcopalians Look Abroad Amid Rift

Last month in Woodbridge, Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola, right, installed Martyn Minns, former rector of Truro Church in Fairfax City, as a Nigerian bishop. (By Gerald Martineau -- The Washington Post)

Murphy recalled that when the AMIA was formed seven years ago, it came under strong criticism from Atwood, among others.

"Bill Atwood has always been a strong advocate for what was called an 'inside' strategy -- to work within the system of the Episcopal Church and within the Anglican Communion's existing structures," he said. "It is now clear to virtually everyone that the 'outside' strategy of having clergy and bishops canonically resident offshore -- that is no longer scandalous and irregular, it is now the right way forward."

Atwood responded that "any strategic differences have just been overwhelmed by the state of things in the Episcopal Church and the need to move forward together."

The difference a foreign bishop makes can vary. Some former Episcopalians describe it as an important but largely symbolic connection with a primate who shares their orthodox beliefs. "Fundamentally, we're worshiping the same way we've always worshiped. It's the Episcopal Church that has embarked on a new path," said Warren Thrasher, a longtime parishioner at Truro Church.

But Atwood said it is often more tangible. He noted that some congregations under Nzimbi's care have adopted the Kenyan version of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. He said many ex-Episcopal congregations have been forced to give up their buildings and need help finding new properties.

"Many of the congregations have developed authentic relations with bishops overseas, and those links are very important to them," he said.

At the same time, the foreign archbishops and their newly minted American bishops are courting the wrath of the archbishop of Canterbury. The leader of the Anglican Communion, the 75 million-member family of churches descended from the Church of England, registered his disapproval of Minns's installation last month by announcing that he will not invite the CANA leader to a global meeting of all Anglican bishops next year.

Minns said he was "not surprised." He said a steady erosion of traditional Christian teachings in the United States and Europe, combined with the explosive growth of former missionary churches in developing countries, has flipped the historic pattern of missionary activity.

"And frankly," he said, "the old institutional structures are having trouble coming to grips with those realities."