Priest defrocked over Muslim beliefs

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - It turns out an Episcopal priest who's also been practicing Islam can't have it both ways.

Rhode Island Bishop Geralyn Wolf notified Rev. Ann Holmes Redding by letter Wednesday that she's been defrocked. In a statement, Wolf said Redding's open practice of Islam meant she abandoned the church.

"A priest of the Church cannot be both a Christian and a Muslim," the statement said. "The Standing Committee determined that Dr. Redding had abandoned the Communion of the Episcopal Church, within the meaning of the Canons of the Church, by her formal admission into a religious body not in Communion with the Episcopal Church."

Redding currently lives in Seattle, but she was ordained in Rhode Island 25 years ago and was still under the supervision of the Rhode Island Diocese.

Wolf told Redding in 2007 she would have to choose between Islam and the priesthood. She gave Redding more than a year to figure out what she was going to do.

In the end, Redding refused to recant her faith in Islam, saying the two faiths are compatible and she felt compelled to practice both.

"It wasn't about intellect. All I know is the calling of my heart to Islam was very much something about my identity and who I am supposed to be," Redding said in a 2007 newspaper article. "I could not not be a Muslim."

Wolf plans to hold a news conference Thursday to discuss the Church's decision.