The national organization of Episcopal members behind the campaign - Lay Episcopalians for the Anglican Communion - is asking 37 bishops who opposed Robinson's consecration to file for church-law indictments against Robinson and 42 bishops who consecrated him.

The group has asked for an answer from the traditionalist bishops by May 22. Ten or more bishops are needed to initiate such "presentment" proceedings.

The lay group, organized this year, presents five "distinctions" that make charges against Robinson and his consecrators "uniquely different from allegations in all past presentments."

The church members say their purpose is to determine the meaning and validity of church law, doctrine and practice, and to punish any bishops who have violated their ordination and consecration vows or committed other "grave offenses."

Last month, the group asked Robinson and his consecrators to "recant, repent, resign or retire" but received no response.

The traditionalist group has launched a petition drive that will continue at the Episcopal Church's general convention exhibit in Columbus, Ohio, in June.

As WorldNetDaily reported last week, fears of a split in the global Anglican Church were eased when the Episcopal Diocese of California voted to elect Rev. Mark Andrus of Alabama as its next bishop.

The election, held by 700 lay people and priests in San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, was to find a replacement for longtime Bishop William Swing, who is retiring. Three of the seven candidates under consideration were openly "gay" clerics living with their partners.

Andrus, nevertheless, endorses ordination of homosexual clergy and same-sex "blessings." A spokesman for Integrity, the national homosexual organization, proclaimed its pleasure with the California election, saying Andrus is a "great champion ... for equality for [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered] people."

The Episcopal lay group says liberal bishops recently "have met traditionalists' defense of Scripture with seizure and attempted seizure of churches and dismissal of parish clergy."

The group criticizes "revisionists" for "reckless pursuit of a gay agenda that is hostile to Scripture and to the historic order of our church."

While homosexuals are welcomed in local parishes, the group says, "there are clear Scriptural and operating prohibitions concerning ordainment of priests practicing homosexual lifestyles, and certainly bishops in that lifestyle are prohibited."

The lay group argues rank-and-file Episcopalians back the church's traditional beliefs but have been overwhelmed by "revisionist leaders, their captive seminaries and their intimidation of priests."

"That our beloved church was hijacked by gay agenda promoters in 2003 must not be confused with the popular will of America's Episcopalians in the pews, who are still theologically in line with the worldwide Anglican Communion."

The "chasm" in the church, the group says, is largely between factions of bishops and the "side now in control is deeply influenced by advocates of the radical gay agenda."

"The true church of Jesus Christ now must prevail, by using judicial tools already available.

Failing that, there will be no alternative but the Anglican Communion's jettisoning the revisionist U.S. church and establishing a new traditional American province of the faithful."

END