The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-05
STATE EPISCOPAL COUNCIL.
Next Session To Be Held in Petersburg
May 10th.
IMPORTANT BUSINESS TO Be CONSIDERED
Division OF the Diocese Leading Feature
TO lie Discussed-Other
Matters.

The uinetv-sixth annual Council of the Do
cese of Virginia will meet in Petersburg on
May goth. and a large representation OF both
clereymen and laymen of the several churches
and parishes will no doubt be present, III view
Of the fact that the ACCESSIBILITY Of division
Of the diocese will be discussed.
At the last Council, held some weeks ago, a
committee was appointed 70 consider the sub
ject and submit a report at the meeting next
month.
The committee have agreed to report in
favor of the division, and they suggest a
dividing line from the northwestern portion
of King George county 10 the southwestern
part of Mecklonburg county. "a II abuts on
the North Carolina line. OF course this dlyid-
inc line will 90 Zig-zag SO as not to divide the
counties This division. which would be-
pretty nearly equal IN regard 20 clergy com
municants and contributions. would throw
forty -four counties with Richmond Norfoik
and Petersburg into our diocese While the
rest of the State would form the other
diocese
The opinions on this division are rather
divided. and the proposed plan is not popular
with the members Of the Episcopal church.
II Is not very likely that the Council Will
adopt this plan.
some of The church members are in favor
of cutting on the sOuthWesterlY part ~ the
State. with Lexington. Lynchburg and Dan
ylle a, the principal cities.
Others favor q division Of the state 10y the
James river, SD that all north Of u be do
cese. with It's present bishops, and all south
of 10 % new diocese.
This plan was very popular a few yeas
ago. giving a. IL does the cities ~ NoriolA
and Portsmouth and Petersburg and Danviiie
AMI Roanoke and the growing southwest Tor
new diocese and q new Bishop.
Still another plan which Is favored 10y q
rood many memi er. OF the church. provides
Tor A division of the State IN three diOceses.
But the trouble with this plan would De-
that three or perhaps four bishops would
have % be- supported by the Episcopal Church
ia TINS State. which might lead 20 consider
able financial difficulties
Probably "a division Of the State into two
diOce.es will be designated by the Council or
soon thereafter.
IN accordance with the canon the present
Assistant Bishop would have therght. m case
of "A division of tine diocese being agreed upon.
10 remain where he is. or 10 take charge u
the diocese which the present Bishop would
not elect for himself
The general effect Of "a division of the do
Cese of Virginia no doubt would be 70 give "a
new impulse 10 the general church work
The sentiment in the laty IS against q dvi-
sion. no matter IN what shape. although the
necessity for such "a division Is believed 10 eX-
ist. and this is even admitted by those who
otherwise are opposed 10 the plan.
The Bishop. who has the power to veto any
plaD of division that the Council might agree
upon. is said 10 bee non -committal at present
and determined to await further Developments
10 ~ee what action Will be taken by the COuu-
ell next month.