Some area Episcopal Church pastors say they sympathize with churches that are forming a more theologically conservative group.

But they say their own Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina is looking to reform the U.S. church, rather than break away.

The Rev. Dr. Frank Larisey, pastor of Orangeburg's Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, said "Theologically, we are on the same page with them. But we have no intention at the present time of going anywhere. We have not changed. We have not gone anywhere. We are the heart of Christian orthodoxy."

Instead, Larisey said he, along with the diocese, will continue to speak out against the "liberal" and "unbiblical" trends in the hope that changes can occur.

Four Episcopal dioceses, plus individual churches, announced this week that they would leave the U.S. church to form a rival, conservative North American province.

But Larisey said for the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, "Our strategy at present is to remain within the Episcopal Church bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel and confronting the Episcopal Church on issues which we strongly disagree."

He added in his estimation, most of the Episcopal Church has succumbed to "liberal revisionism."

The split comes on the heels of long-standing theological controversy within the Episcopal Church. The controversy peaked in 2003 with the consecration of Gene Robinson as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. At the time of his election, Robinson was openly living with a same-sex partner.

"That is the straw that broke the camel's back," said the Very Rev. John F. Scott, pastor of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. He said the liberalization of the U.S. church began with the teachings of a bishop who "denied the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Scott, who attended some of the discussions in Illinois about the split last week, described the atmosphere as "reenactment of the Holy Spirit and Pentecost when the church was being rebirthed."

"We have been living with this rift for many years," he said. "What I saw was a great healing."

Scott described the trend of the U.S. church as "arrogant" and at odds with the global Anglican Communion.

"I live with the pain that has been done," Scott said. "But the pain is an indication that healing needs to take place."

The Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall Harmon of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina echoed Larisey's statements.

"The important thing to say is that we are in great theological sympathy with the folks who gathered but we have strategic differences. We wish them well and are praying with them. We hope to remain in fellowship with them during this very difficult time," he said.

"It is a painful situation for many of us," Harmon said. "We are losing friends of ours that are a part of the Episcopal Church. It is our desire at this time to tell the truth in the midst of the church that has turned its back on the truth."

Harmon said he would hate to speculate on what the diocese may do next except to note that whatever is decided, the diocese will make the decision together.

Four years ago, the diocese spearheaded the formation of the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes or Anglican Communion Network. It was formed in an attempt to provide a system of theologically traditional leadership and church oversight to Anglicans in the United States and Canada.

Larisey also declined to speculate on what the diocese will do in the future, but said a lot could depend on whether the new group is accepted by the global Anglican Communion.

"Whatever it (the diocese) does, we will follow the bishop," he said.

Phone calls placed to pastors of other churches Thursday and Friday in an attempt to get other viewpoints were not immediately returned.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551.

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