"If the American Church does not take responsible action, then it is in real danger of being separated from the Anglican Communion," he said. "If the church rejects taking part in the Anglican Communion, I see no other choice than to take our place in the wider communion. To do otherwise would be a compromise of my faith."

The statement was made at the Diocese of Western Louisiana's annual convention Saturday at St. Mark's Cathedral in Shreveport.

Since the Episcopal Church approved the election of the gay Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire last summer, talk of a split between the conservative and liberal segments of the church has been widespread. Until now, MacPherson has tread cautiously, waiting to see how the debates progressed.

Saturday's statement was MacPherson's reaction to the Windsor Report, released Monday. The 93-page document outlined a series of recommendations made by a commission charged with avoiding a threatened split within the international church.

While stressing the importance of Communion, the report called for the American church to express regret over the friction, put a moratorium on elevating any more openly gay clergy to bishop, and not perform same-sex unions. It also asked those bishops who supported Robinson to consider withdrawing from the Communion.

Priests and lay people expressed relief at having a clear statement from the bishop, after what Shreveporter Stith Bynum called a "gut-wrenching" period for the church.

"This has been long awaited," said Bynum, a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Beyond that, opinions varied widely. The Rev. Guido Verbeck of St. Paul's was in full support of the bishop.

"What he's talking about is faithful following of the Lord and his church," Verbeck said.

On the other side of the spectrum, the Rev. Kenneth Paul of Church of the Holy Cross was dismayed at the talk of severing ties with the Episcopal Church.

"Such a suggestion is premature and more reflection is needed before such action is proposed," he said.

It could be years before the diocese gets to that point. In the meantime, the national and international church have a series of meetings over the next year to continue digesting the report and developing any official demands.

Paul feels confident that the diocese has always been mainline and would not leave the American church.

But a conservative slate of delegates elected to represent the diocese at the 2006 general convention was not making promises.

"I firmly believe that the Episcopal Church can be reconciled and should be," said Michael Millard of Shreveport, one of the delegates. And if not, "then we have to do what we have to do. If that means ally with Canterbury, that's what we'll do."

At which point, Paul said he is prepared to remain loyal to the Episcopal Church.

"The bishop has the privilege to associate with whatever organization he chooses, but he can't take the diocese with him without us having a say in the matter."

©The Shreveport Times
October 24, 2004