Dallas ? The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth took the first steps Saturday to withdraw from the national church as part of a growing rift over Scriptural interpretation and homosexuality, giving preliminary approval to constitutional amendments.

The conservative diocese is among four of the 110 Episcopal dioceses that have approved similar measures to break away and align with an overseas Anglican leader. The dioceses contend U.S. church leadership has wrongly abandoned Scriptural authority and traditional teachings on truth, salvation and the divinity of Jesus Christ.

The Fort Worth convention followed a testy exchange of letters between the national church’s presiding bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, and the diocese’s Bishop Jack Iker.

Jefferts Schori warned Iker that he could face discipline if he continues to back proposals to separate from the U.S. church. Iker responded by accusing her of “aggressive, dictatorial posturing.”