Denver clergyman will become first bishop in breakaway movement

DENVER (AP) -- A clergyman who broke from the Colorado Episcopal Diocese will become the first bishop in a new conservative movement.

The Rev. Alexander ''Sandy'' Greene will establish his diocese in Denver, making Colorado an important center in the South Carolina-based Anglican Mission in America. Since last year the movement has grown to 37 congregations nationwide.

The AMIA movement is strongly evangelical Christian and objects to trends in the Episcopal Church, the most liberal of the 38 provinces in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

At its general convention in Denver last summer, Episcopalians passed resolutions which encouraged wide-ranging Scripture interpretations and showed support for heterosexual and homosexual couples living together.

The delegates turned down a resolution that would have allowed a liturgy for the union of gay couples.

Greene served 30 years as an Episcopal clergyman. He is joining 12 priests, five deacons and six congregations who have left the Colorado diocese since last year. That's the most Episcopal defections in any state.

Greene will be consecrated a bishop June 24, along with three fellow Anglican priests from South Carolina, Arkansas and California.