In early May, some sixty members of St. James Episcopal Church in Oklahoma City met secretly and formed a new Church called St. James Anglican Church. Their network proclaims that they are associated with the American Anglican Council.

On May 22, an article in the New York Times, written by Laurie Goodstein and David Kirkpatrick, describes the efforts of well financed and determined conservatives in the Presbyterian, Methodist and Episcopal Churches to split the Churches along liberal and conservative lines. In that article these words appeared, "When the Episcopal Church elected an openly gay bishop last summer, the institute (on Religion and Democracy) organized and housed a conservative secessionist group called the American Anglican Council…"

The American Anglican Council has established an Oklahoma branch. It is called the Oklahoma Anglican Council. They were present at our annual convention in Tulsa last November. I have not written of it or against is in the last several months because I believe it to be an expression of loyal opposition that had a legitimate place within out Church.

In the light of the above, I can no longer remain quiet. The American Anglican Council and its Oklahoma expression have moved from loyal opposition to disloyal opposition. Their purpose is to divide the Church and create schism. They are willing to break the constitution and canons of the church. They meet in secrecy. They spread half truths and falsehoods. They are attempting to discredit your bishop. They will wound the congregations of this diocese if you allow them to do so.

I encourage you to reject their advances and invite them to have no part in the life of this diocese.

Faithfully,

+Robert M. Moody