Each faces its own challenges. The Anglican breakaway parish is now on its own but has the support of some members of the broader Anglican Communion, while the Episcopal returning parish has to rebuild, with the support of its bishop and its diocese, after many of its members started worshiping and forming attachments at other churches.

Neither path will be an easy one. But it's one that seemed inevitable, given the strength of the theological views of both sides not only here, but throughout the Anglican Communion.

The split here is the first of its kind in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, which covers the eastern part of the state, but it is one of many taking place across the country as orthodox parishes and dioceses break away from the national Episcopal Church for its increasingly liberal views, especially on the issue of homosexuality.

The division is also playing out on the worldwide stage as conservative bishops in other countries offer to bring the breakaway parishes into the jurisdiction of their dioceses, a move being seen as a violation of church law because no bishop is supposed to interfere in another bishop's territory.

As the worldwide Anglican confrontation builds, the separated Anglicans in Attleboro are facing some fresh problems. Giuffrida has been notified that he faces being deposed by the diocese, which means he would officially be stripped of his status as an Episcopal priest even though he says he will still consider himself an Anglican priest.

Now the parish financial records are also being scrutinized by diocesan officials who say some statements are missing and some bills that should have been paid are still outstanding, and an audit is in order.

The parish separation that was already theologically and emotionally trying now has the potential of financial complications and even legal battles that could deepen the divide.

Through it all, people connected to All Saints have to go on, rebuilding a parish or building a new one, and repairing any wounds caused by the split.

We support the right of each congregation to believe and practice as they choose, a right that is at the core of this country's founding. We also support the right of each one to assure that their financial status is sound so they can move on.

But we also hope the pursuit of those rights will not make those involved forget that church and faith are supposed to bring people together, not tear them apart.

We hope, as issues unfold, solutions are found that will allow each congregation to get back to the business of loving their God, and loving their neighbor.

http://www.sunchronicle.com/articles/2007/02/04/opinion/opinion1.txt