Seven More Join the Southern Cone

VANCOUVER — Seven Anglican congregations decided on the weekend to put themselves under the authority of a South American archbishop, as the Anglican Church of Canada disciplined two priests who supported their actions.

"The Anglican Church has changed," Marilyn Jacobson, a spokeswoman for the breakaway congregations, said yesterday in an interview after the votes.

"It is not the same church it used to be. It has moved away from Christian principles."

Last week, St. John's Shaughnessy Anglican Church in Vancouver was the first congregation to break away from the national church and place itself under Archbishop Gregory Venables of the Province of the Southern Cone. As many as 15 parishes are considering the move.

Threats by the Anglican Church of Canada in an attempt to dissuade the dissidents have proven futile, said Ms. Jacobson.

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