Conservatives form rival to Episcopal Church

Move comes after decades of debate over salvation, sexuality, the Bible

How we worship

	Christianity Brazilians get baptized in Israel, a megachurch opens in Houston, and devotees carry a cross in the Philippines.
	Islam Whirling dervishes perform in Turkey, pilgrims gather in Mecca, and an elderly man is doused with holy water.
	Judaism Jews pray at the Mount of Olives, matzoh is baked in Brooklyn, and thousands of rabbis pose for a group photo.
	Hinduism and more Japanese ascetics hang from a cliff, Shinto believers pray in ice water and a 60-foot statue takes a colorful bath.

Video: Faith

More video

Vatican debates existence of E.T.
Nov. 11: Astronomers, physicists and priests are gathered in Rome to debate whether life exists in outer-space. Dan Gilgoff of U.S. News and World Report discusses.

High-tech holy water font fights swine flu

Author: Let's analyze Ft. Hood, not sanitize it

Students tackle biblical conundrum

Christian power nexus in action

RSS feeds on msnbc.com

Add these headlines to your news reader

Faith

Learn more about RSS

updated 11:24 a.m. ET Dec. 3, 2008

WHEATON, Ill. - Theological conservatives upset by the liberal views of the Episcopal Church are forming a rival denomination.

The new Anglican Church in North America will include four Episcopal dioceses that recently split from the U.S. church, along with breakaway Anglican parishes from Canada.

The announcement Wednesday in Wheaton, Illinois, comes after decades of debate over what Episcopalians should believe about issues ranging from salvation to sexuality.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

Tensions erupted in 2003 when Episcopalians consecrated the first openly gay bishop.

The world Anglican Communion is a fellowship of churches with roots in the Church of England. The Episcopal Church is the Anglican body in the United States. But the new North American church says it represents true Anglican beliefs.