Of four Episcopal churches in the area surrounding Butler, three have declared support for a recent decision by The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh to leave The Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

The U.S. Episcopal Church is among 38 provinces that make up the London-based Anglican Communion, a worldwide communion of churches aligned with the Church of England.

The diocese has joined The Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, which is based in Argentina and comprises six South American nations.

Churches in the Pittsburgh diocese say leaving the progressive U.S. province has allowed them to return to a more orthodox and mainstream approach to their faith.

"We have broken communion with most of the world's Anglican churches," said the Rev. Ethan Magness, pastor of Grace Anglican Church in Slippery Rock, describing how for several decades the U.S. has moved steadily away from its orthodox roots.

"We're out of communion with the vast majority of the churches right now," he said.

Grace Anglican was planted two and a half years ago by St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Cranberry Township, which also supports the realignment along with Trinity Episcopal Church in Freeport.

According to the Rev. Bruce Geary, priest in charge at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Butler, his congregation will vote in January on whether to realign or remain a part of the progressive U.S. province.

Although many believe the realignment was prompted by the 2003 consecration of an openly gay bishop, local pastors say the issue was but one symptom of the ongoing deviation from Anglican Communion theology.

The Rev. Paul Cooper, pastor of St. Christopher's, said the U.S. province has changed its view of the Holy scripture, sometimes describing the Bible as "stories" not always applicable to today's issues.

Cooper said the uniqueness of Jesus also is an issue.

"The church leadership has taken the view that 'Jesus is my way, but he may not be your way,'" he explained.

"In this, several bishops have embraced other religions as 'valid,' and have 'apologized' for evangelization. We believe that there is no other name under Heaven by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). We are unashamed of this Gospel."

Discrepancies also include views on the condition of mankind, which the progressive province views as inherently good and in need of affirmation — but which orthodox teachings view as "fallen and sinful, in need of Salvation that comes through Jesus alone," Cooper added.

The vote to realign was held Saturday. According to the diocese Web site, 191 lay deputies voted, with 119 voting in favor, 69 voting against and three abstaining. Among the 160 clergy, 121 voted in favor, 33 voted no, three abstained and two invalid ballots were cast.

A diocese in California voted to realign last year, and dioceses in Texas and Illinois are set to also vote on the issue.

Bishop Robert Duncan, who led the Pittsburgh diocese for more than 10 years, was removed from office last month by the U.S. province.

Cooper said as of Saturday's vote, parishes can function under the authority of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, having 24 months to bring their parish bylaws into compliance or to opt out of realigning.

The pastors say although some parishes might opt out, the decision won't necessarily mean those parishes agree with the progressive mindset.

"Actually, the parish is pretty conservative," said Geary of the still undecided Butler congregation.

"There are some parishes that have already said, 'We're going to remain in the Episcopal Church,' and so it's not over theology as much as it is over strategy. They believe it's best to remain part of the Episcopal Church rather than to leave it.

"There are a number of conservative churches in the diocese that said 'We think we should remain a remnant and have our voice heard.'"

The Rev. Peter Frank, a spokesman for the diocese, said although no official actions have determined rules on property ownership for parishes opting out of realignment, the congregations should see little change."

"The indications are that individual parishes will be able to continue worshipping in their properties where they've always worshipped regardless of their position on realignment," he said.