Catholic Diocese Revokes Invitation to Episcopal Bishop

By First Coast News Staff

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- The Catholic Diocese of Saint Augustine has withdrawn an offer to host the ordination of an Episcopal Bishop due to another Episcopal Bishop's stance on homosexuality.

The Episcopal Church is preparing to ordain Bishop-elect Samuel Howard in January. He is replacing Bishop Stephen Jecko who is retiring. The ceremony is expected to draw more people than any local Episcopal Church can hold. A year ago, The Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine offered St. Joseph's Church in Mandarin for the ceremony.

Episcopal Bishop Frank Griswold is expected to participate in the the ordination of Bishop-elect Howard. Earlier this year, Bishop Griswold supported ordaining a homosexual Bishop.

Thursday, the Diocese Bishop Victor Galeone released a statement revoking the invitation. In the statement, Galeone said, "Many of my people would deeply offended to learn that an Episcopal Bishop, who holds a position that is radically opposed to what both the Catholic Church and Scripture teach about homosexuality, is using one of our facilites."

There is no word yet on the Episcopal Ordination plans.

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