SAN MARCOS – The Rev. Eric Menees, an Episcopal priest for 19 years, has become the fifth clergyman in less than a year to resign from the San Diego diocese as part of a widening national split over theological issues.
Menees, 44, told his parish, Grace Episcopal Church in San Marcos, of his decision on Sunday. This coming Sunday, he will lead services at a newly formed congregation, the Anglican Church of the Resurrection, which will meet at the Community Christian Church of San Marcos.
He would not speculate on how many parishioners will follow him to his new church. He said services will continue at Grace Episcopal under the leadership of a diocesan priest.
Much of the controversy stems from the election in 2003 of the U.S. Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop. “The past three years, I have been in just a sense of conflict with the theology of the Episcopal Church,” Menees said yesterday.
– Sandi Dolbee
