Did you think the tornado-like controversy over the Aug. 5 consecration of the US Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop had subsided? You may wish to re-think that. And if you're pro-gay and Episcopalian or Anglican, you had better brace yourself for rough winds ahead.

The Associated Press reports that Episcopal dioceses in Pennsylvania and Texas are accusing the national church of overstepping its authority and violating its own constitution by confirming the nomination of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire and by approving the blessing of same-gender unions. In essence, these dioceses will ignore the decision by the national church's General Convention and may even attempt to withhold funds from the national church.

"These acts are to be held null and void, and of no effect, in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh," read a resolution approved 239-69 by delegates in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

And in Texas, conservative Fort Worth Bishop Jack Iker spoke out: "We are here to take a stand for the gospel of Jesus Christ in a time of great dissension and confusion in our church."

From the AP report:

Both the Texas and Pennsylvania dioceses called on the Anglican Communion to recognize those who oppose the gay bishop and same-sex blessings as "the legitimate expression" of the Episcopal Church.

Delegates in Pennsylvania also approved a resolution that would allow parishes to withhold money from the national church.

The national denomination of the Episcopal Church, with 2.3 million members, is the US branch of the worldwide, 77 million-member Anglican Communion.

"We are dealing with the consequences of that body's schismatic — literally unity-breaking — acts," said Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan. "We are trying to call the Episcopal Church back to its senses, and asking the worldwide Communion to help us."

The ill will goes farther than the Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Texas dioceses, and, if the denominational right-wing gets it way, their anger could set the stage for the establishment of a separate conservative Anglican province in the US.

A week ago, the Diocese of Central Florida voted to repudiate the General Convention's vote on Robinson and same-sex blessing ceremonies and asked world Anglican leaders to intervene.

The Diocese of Albany, NY, also rejected the decision on Robinson and same-sex blessings and asked Anglican leaders to decide whether the national convention votes "exceeded the limits of Anglican diversity."

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