Church Ousts Him after 'Inappropriate Relationship'
By Jeff Brumley
The Times-Union
February 27, 2007
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/022707/met_8251328.shtml
An Orange Park priest and leading voice in the theologically conservative Anglican movement in America has been stripped of his clerical credentials after having "an inappropriate relationship" with an adult female church member, the parish's top lay leader said Monday.
The Rev. Samuel C. Pascoe was removed Feb. 10 from his position as senior rector at Grace Church (Anglican) and lost his ministerial license as a result of the relationship, said David Nelson, senior warden of the former Episcopal congregation.
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Pascoe, who is married with three sons, said he couldn't comment on the situation and referred all questions to Nelson.
Pascoe, 56, for several years has been an outspoken critic of the Episcopal Church USA for what he and others see as the denomination's increasingly progressive interpretation of Scripture and its growing acceptance of homosexuality.
When the denomination elected an openly gay priest as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003, Pascoe helped lead a movement that resulted in his and several other parishes quitting the denomination and its Jacksonville-based Episcopal Diocese of Florida. He sharply criticized Florida Bishop John Howard for refusing to quit the national church.
"He's known nationally, for sure, and he's probably the biggest player in Florida," said David Virtue of Virtueonline.org, an Internet-based Anglican news and commentary site with about 4 million readers.
Pascoe led his parish into the Anglican Mission in the Americas, then orchestrated a $4 million fundraising campaign to build new facilities after the congregation left Grace Episcopal property in 2006, Virtue said.
Virtue said the tragedy isn't for the Anglican movement but for Pascoe and his family.
"He is a godly evangelical who struggled for the faith, led his parish out ... and started all over again, and then suddenly this," Virtue said. "It defies all reason."
The Rev. Kurt Dunkle, a spokesman for Howard and the newly installed rector at Grace Episcopal Church, said the diocese has no comment.
Nor did the Rev. Neil Lebhar, a spokesman for the Anglican Alliance of North Florida and another leader of the region's Anglican movement.
Nelson said the parish was informed of the relationship and Pascoe's status during Ash Wednesday services last week and again in services Sunday.
"It's a painful thing that has taken place," Nelson said. "And it's difficult for Sam given the comments he has made" on issues of sexual morality.
Nelson said he does not know the identity of the female parishioner involved with Pascoe or when their inappropriate relationship took place. He also had no details about the nature of the relationship.
jeff.brumley@jacksonville.com (904) 359-4310
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