MONROEVILLE, Pa. (AP) -- Episcopal dioceses in Pennsylvania and Texas accused the national church Saturday of exceeding its authority and violating its own constitution by confirming its first openly gay bishop and approving the blessing of same-sex unions.
"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.
Clergy and lay delegates of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth in Texas conducted a similar vote as part of a national drive among conservative dioceses and clergy seeking to distance themselves from the Episcopal Church for its decisions last month on the gay bishop and same-sex unions.
"We are here to take a stand for the gospel of Jesus Christ in a time of great dissension and confusion in our church," said Fort Worth Bishop Jack Iker.
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