It Was Only A Matter Of Time

The Living Church reports

Sufficient legal grounds exist for presenting Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori for ecclesiastical trial on 11 counts of violating the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, according to a legal memorandum that has begun circulating among members of the House of Bishops.

A copy of the April 21 document seen by a reporter representing The Living Church states Bishop Jefferts Schori demonstrated a “willful violation of the canons, an intention to repeat the violations, and a pattern of concealment and lack of candor” in her handling of the cases of bishops Robert W. Duncan, John-David Schofield and William Cox, and that she “subverted” the “fundamental polity” of The Episcopal Church in the matter of the Diocese of San Joaquin.

The article's author, the Rev. George Conger, also posted the story on his own blog. Conger began trumpeting this line of thought back in March following the House of Bishops' meeting.

The timing of Conger's release of his story--within hours of this morning's release of the Presiding Bishop's letter to the House of Bishops regarding the process related to deposition, inhibition, renunciation and resignation of bishops--is not coincidental.

Nor is it surprising that Matt Kennedy and the usual cohort of commentors at Stand Firm are all over the story. Although the comments have not reached their usual level of vitriol at the time of this writing, I include here Mark Harris' warning regarding Stand Firm.

It was only a matter of time before the conservatives attempted action directly against the Presiding Bishop. The only thing that surprises me is that they waited so long.

Peace,
Jeffri

Bishops Write About Their Meeting

Updated April 4 - 7:20 a.m. Pacific Time

Here is what the bishops have to say about their March 7-12 meeting at Camp Allen.

Jack Iker of Fort Worth posted this statement about why he wasn't attending the meeting (I've reprinted it here, because I'm not sure how long the link will be good):

A Comment concerning the March 2008 House of Bishops meeting

In recent years, I have increasingly dreaded the thought of attending another meeting of the House of Bishops of TEC, and I will not be participating in the one at Camp Allen in early March. For a traditional anglo-catholic like myself, the HOB meetings have become a toxic environment, and the “spiritual violence” I suffer there is not good for my emotional or spiritual well being. For me, the small-group table discussions are places of hostile confrontation, not support and affirmation.

I am disheartened that I have been unable to secure a future, safe place for this diocese within TEC and am saddened by the fact that the HOB has been unwilling to make adequate provision for us in response to our appeal for alternative primatial oversight.

The Rt. Rev. Jack Leo IkerBishop of Fort Worth

Note: In the concluding Recommendations of its report on this diocese's appeal, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Panel of Reference said, “The Panel also recommends that the Archbishop of Canterbury continue discussions with the Diocese of Fort Worth and with the Episcopal Church with the aim of securing the place of Fort Worth in the Communion.” (paragraph 17d) The report was published Jan. 8, 2007.

Some bishops posted thoughts during the course of the meeting:

• Kee Sloan, Suffragan of Alabama, on March 9
• Christopher Epting, the Presiding Bishop's Deputy for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, on March 9 and March 12.
• Porter Taylor, Western North Carolina, on March 12.
• Larry Benfield, Arkansas, on March 7, March 9, March 11, and March 12.

Here are reflections written after the meeting:

Province I

• Connecticut - Jim Curry & Laura Ahrens

Province III

• Deleware - Wayne Wright

Province V

• Northern Indiana - Edward Little
• Southern Ohio - Thomas Breidenthal & Kenneth Price, Jr.

Province VIII

• Arizona - Kirk Smith (As usual, one of the first to write to his dioceses as soon as the House of Bishops meetings are done.)

In case you haven't seen them, here are the Episcopal News Service--and other--reports on the March 7-12 meeting:

• March 7 Daily Account (ENS)
• March 8 Daily Account (ENS)
• March 9 Daily Account (ENS)
• March 10 Daily Account (ENS)
• Lambeth Invitation Not Possible for Gene Robinson (March 10) (ENS)
• Bishop Robinson's Address to the House (March 10) (ENS)
• Report from Bishops Ed Little, Bruce Caldwell and Tom Ely to the House of Bishops regarding conversations about Bishop Gene Robinson's participation at the Lambeth Conference (March 10) (From the Diocese of Vermont web site)
• March 11 Daily Account (ENS)
• House of Bishops statement on Schofield, Cox (March 12) (ENS)
• House of Bishops statement on the Lambeth Conference (March 12) (ENS)
• House of Bishops resolution on 'waterboarding' (March 12) (ENS)
• House of Bishops consents to deposition of John-David Schofield, William Cox (March 12) (ENS)

I'll keep a lookout over the next few days to see who else comments.

Peace,
Jeffri

Connecticut Bishops Report On The House Of Bishops Meeting

This email was sitting in my in box when I arrived home tonight:

March 14, 2008

To the People of God in the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut:

Grace to you and peace in Christ Jesus our Lord. May God bless each of you in the pilgrimage of Holy Week and the celebration of Easter.

We have just returned from the Spring Meeting of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church. Over 120 bishops from across our church met in Camp Allen, Texas. We especially bring you greetings from Bishop Wilfrido Ramos, who sends his love and asks for continuing prayers for the work of the Episcopal Diocese of Ecuador Central.

We met within the rhythm of the daily offices and daily Holy Eucharist. We worshiped in Spanish and in English. Most of our time together was spent in continuing education and briefings on the ongoing ministries of the Episcopal Church. A highlight for us was working with Nomfondo Walaza of the Tutu Center for Peace Studies in Capetown, South Africa, who led a session on Millennium Development Goal #3 - Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. Over the weekend we participated in a Reconciliation Training Initiative of the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy.

Monday we received word that a full invitation from the Archbishop of Canterbury to include Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire as a participant in this summer's Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops is "not possible". Bishop Robinson told the House that he respectfully declined an invitation to be present in the conference's "Marketplace" exhibit section. But he also did urge other bishops to attend the Lambeth Conference to represent the Episcopal Church and tell the stories of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people. The bishops of Province I will be the lead organizers of two evening gatherings during the Lambeth Conference to introduce Bishop Robinson to other bishops of the Anglican Communion and create a forum for dialogue.

On Wednesday, in business session and prayer, the House of Bishops voted to depose Bishop John-David Schofield, formerly the Bishop of San Joaquin, and Bishop William J. Cox, resigned Bishop Suffragan of Maryland, for repudiating the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Episcopal Church and for abandoning the Communion of the Church. These actions were taken according to Title IV of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church.

We give thanks for our ordination as bishops and the trust you have given us as bishops in the Diocese of Connecticut. The mission of the church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. The church does this as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 855). All of us, lay persons, deacons, priests, and bishops are called to work together under the lordship of Jesus. May God bless us and strengthen us in this ministry.

Faithfully,
Laura J. Ahrens, Bishop Suffragan
James E. Curry, Bishop Suffragan
The Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut

The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church
Meeting at the Camp Allen Conference Center, Navasota, Texas
March 12, 2008

Give to your Church, O God, a bold vision and a daring charity,
a refreshed wisdom and a courteous understanding,
that the eternal message of your Son
may be acclaimed as the good news of the age;
through him who makes all things new,even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We, the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church, approaching the forthcoming Lambeth Conference, are mindful of the hurt that is being experienced by so many in our own Episcopal Church, in other Provinces of our global communion, and in the world around us. While the focus of this hurt seems centered on issues of human sexuality, beneath it we believe there is a feeling of marginalization by people of differing points of view. Entering into Holy Week, our response is to name this hurt and to claim our hope that is in Christ.

As the Lambeth Conference approaches, we believe we have an enormous opportunity, in the midst of struggle, to be proud of our heritage, and to use this particular time in a holy way by affirming our rich diversity. The health of such diversity is that we are dealing openly with issues that affect the entire global community. Thus, even as we acknowledge the pain felt by many, we also affirm its holiness as we seek to be faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Even though we did not all support the consecration of the Bishop of New Hampshire, we acknowledge that he is a canonically elected and consecrated bishop in this church. We regret that he alone among bishops ministering within the territorial boundaries of their dioceses and provinces, did not receive an invitation to attend the Lambeth Conference.

We appeal to the faithful of the Episcopal Church and the faithful in the wider, global Anglican family, to focus and celebrate our unity in the comprehensiveness of diversity. In union with Christian tradition through the centuries, we are willing to face challenges that precipitate struggle as a means towards reconciliation.

During our meeting we have been praying for a "daring charity and courteous understanding." With this intent and guided by the Holy Spirit, we go to the Lambeth Conference spiritually united and praying that God will sanctify our struggles and unify us for Christ's mission to a hurting world.

Breaking News: Schofield Deposed

This just in from ENS:


Episcopal News Service
March 12, 2008
House of Bishops consents to deposition of John-David Schofield, William Cox
By staff

[ENS] The House of Bishops voted March 12 to consent to the deposition from the ordained ministry of the Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield, bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin, and the Rt. Rev. William Jackson Cox, bishop suffragan of the Diocese of Maryland, resigned.
Members of the House of Bishops are preparing a statement regarding these actions and for release after a March 12 afternoon session.

The process used to work through these resolutions took into account the importance of prayer and careful reflection before each vote was taken. Specifically, in both cases the House was first led in prayer by a chaplain, followed by small-group discussion, and then plenary discussion. After this, voting commenced. Each vote was cast clearly in the majority, with some nay votes, and some abstentions.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori asked the bishops assembled "to continue to reach out" in pastoral care to both Schofield and Cox.

"Abandoning the Communion of this Church does not meet we abandon a person as a member of the Body of Christ," Jefferts Schori said.

Full texts of the resolutions follow. Each resolution was considered and voted upon separately. The resolution pertaining to Schofield was acted upon first.

RESOLUTION
RESOLVED, that pursuant to Canon IV.9.2 of the Episcopal Church, the House of Bishops hereby consents to the Deposition from the ordained ministry of the Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield, Bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin.

EXPLANATION: On January 9, 2008, the Title IV Review Committee certified to the Presiding Bishop, pursuant to Canon IV.9.1, that the Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield, Bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin, has repudiated the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Episcopal Church and has abandoned the Communion of the Church by, inter alia, departing from the Episcopal Church and purporting to take his Diocese with him into affiliation with the Province of the Southern Cone. In the intervening two months since the Presiding Bishop gave notice to Bishop Schofield of the foregoing certification, Bishop Schofield has failed to submit to the Presiding Bishop sufficient retraction or denial of the actions found by the Title IV Review Committee. Accordingly, the Presiding Bishop has presented the matter to the House of Bishops and requested consent to Bishop Schofield's Deposition.

RESOLUTION

RESOLVED, that pursuant to Canon IV.9.2 of the Episcopal Church, the House of Bishops hereby consents to the Deposition from the ordained ministry of the Rt. Rev. William Jackson Cox, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Maryland, resigned.

EXPLANATION: On May 29, 2007, the Title IV Review Committee certified to the Presiding Bishop, pursuant to Canon IV.9.1, that the Rt. Rev. William Jackson Cox, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Maryland, resigned, has repudiated the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Episcopal Church and has abandoned the Communion of the Church by, inter alia, departing from the Episcopal Church and stating his intention to continue to perform episcopal acts solely under the oversight and jurisdiction of a bishop outside the Episcopal Church without conforming to the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church. In the intervening two months since the Presiding Bishop gave notice to Bishop Cox of the foregoing certification, Bishop Cox has failed to submit to the Presiding Bishop sufficient retraction or denial of the actions found by the Title IV Review Committee. Accordingly, the Presiding Bishop has presented the matter to the House of Bishops and requested consent to Bishop Cox's Deposition.

The Bishops Talk About Their September Meeting

This post consists primarily of statements made by bishops of the Epsicopal Church reflecting on their September meeting in New Orleans. I have also included some statements from other bishops around the Anglican Communion. I have moved all of my comments and update notices to the bottom.

Peace,
Jeffri

Province I
Andrew Smith, Connecticut, in his Convention Address (see pages 5-6)
Childton Knudson, Maine
Gene Robinson, New Hampshire, posted on Susan Russell's An Inch At A Time
Geralyn Wolf, Rhode Island
Thomas Ely, Vermont

Province II
William Love, Albany
Mark Sisk, New York, has sent an email to his clergy, but it has not yet appeared on the diocesan web site (as of 6:30 p.m. October 3)
Mark Beckwith, Newark
Jack McKelvey, Rochester, posted on Walking with Integrity
Michael Garrison, Western New York

Province III
Paul Marshall, Bethlehem (see Section II, pages 5-7)
Nathan Baxter, Central Pennsylvania, and in this article on Pennlive.com
Wayne Wright, Delaware
James Shand, Easton
John Rabb, Maryland
Charles Bennison, Pennsylvania
Neff Powell, Southwestern Virginia
Peter Lee (Diocesan), Shannon Johnston (Coadjutor) and David Jones (Suffragan), Virginia

Province IV
Henry Parsley, Alabama; the link on the diocesan web site is broken, but as of now (9/30), it is the first thing on the bishop's pages
Neil Alexander, Atlanta
John Howe, Central Florida; Bishop Howe revised his letter, and both versions are posted on Stand Firm
Philip Duncan, Central Gulf Coast
Clifton Daniel, East Carolina
Charles vonRosenberg, East Tennessee, has posted nothing, but the diocesan web site has a "Windsor Process" page that gives a good overview--with links--of what has transpired since the release of the Windsor Report
John Howard, Florida
Ted Gulick and David Reed (retired), Kentucky
Charles Jenkins, Louisiana, coming soon, but in the meantime, his Canon to the Ordinary has posted his refelctions on The Bishop's Blog
Duncan Gray, Mississippi
Michael Curry, North Carolina,
Edward Salmon, Acting South Carolina, posted on TitusOneNine
Leo Frade, Southeast Florida
Dabney Smith, Southwest Florida
John Bauerscmidt, Tennessee
Dorsey Henderson, Upper South Carolina

Province V
William Persell, Chicago
Todd Ousley, Eastern Michigan
Cate Waynick, Indianaoplis, posted her response on the House of Bishops & Deputies listserv with permission to share. I've added it below under "October 5." There is also a Pastoral Letter posted on the diocesan website (for reading on Sunday October 20 [sic])--you may have to page down to find the link.
George Wayne Smith, Missouri
Edward Little, Northern Indiana
Mark Hollingsworth, Ohio
Thomas Breidenthal, Southern Ohio
Robert Gepert, Western Michigan

Province VI
Alan Scarfe, Iowa, posted on TitusOneNine
James Jelinek, Minnesota
Joe Burnett, Nebraska, posted on TitusOneNine
Michael Smith, North Dakota

Province VII
Larry Benfield, Arkansas, posted on Stand Firm
James Stanton, Dallas
Jack Iker, Fort Worth, posted on Katie Sherwood's Desert's Child
Dean Wolfe, Kansas
Edward Konieczny, Oklahoma
Don Wimberely, Texas
Barry Howe, West Missouri
Gary Lillibridge (Diocesan) and David Reed (Suffragan),West Texas; Bishop Lillibridge has a series of reports from the bishops' meeting here
Bruce MacPherson, Western Louisiana

Province VIII
Kirk Smith, Arizona, in an email posted on Nick Knisely's Entangled States
Robert Fitzpatrick, Hawaii
Barry Beisner, Northern California
Edward Konieczny, Oklahoma, click on the "News and Ministry" link
Greg Rickel, Olympia
Johncy Itty, Oregon
San Joaquin (the "Diocese" responds)
Carolyn Tanner Irish, Utah, in the Desert Morning News

Other TEC Bishops
Chris Epting, Eccumenical Officer for The Episcopal Church

Other "Interested Parties"
Statement by the Secretary General on behalf of the Joint Standing Committee of the Primates and the Anglican Consultative Council
Report of the Joint Standing Committee of the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates of the Anglican Communion to the Archbishop of Canterbury
Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA), posted on Global South Anglican, see particularly items #4 - 7
Phillip Aspinall, Archbishop of Brisbane, Primate of Australia
Susan Russell, President of Integrity, posted on Walking with Integrity
Alan Harper, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of Ireland
Robin Eames, Retired Archbishop of Armagh, chair of the Eames Commission, which authored the Windsor Report, posted on The Episcopal Cafe
Mouneer Anis, Primate of Jerusalem and the Middle East, posted on Global South Anglican and as reported in Ruth Gledhill's blog
Benjamin Nzimbi, Archbishop of Kenya, reported in BBC News
Peter Akinola, Archbishop of Nigeria, posted on TitusOneNine
Benjamin Kwashi, archbishop-elect of Jos province in Nigeria, orgininally reported on IC Publications, but only an excerpt of the report is now posted on Stand Firm
Njongonkulu Ndungane, South Africa, in The Christian Post online, and in a statment posted by ENS on Episcopal Life Online
Peter Jensen, Archbishop of Sydney
Henry Orombi, Primate of the Anglican Church of Uganda, posted on TitusOneNine, and also in an article posted on The Living Church's website
David Zac Niringiye, Kampala, Uganda, reported in BBC News
Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales, in the Church Times
The American Anglican Council, The Anglican Communion Network, and Forward in Faith North America, in a joint statement posted on the Anglican Communion Network site

October 26

Added links to: Andrew Smith's comments,

October 24

Added links to: Dean Wolfe's reflections.

October 23

Added links to: interview with Ted Gulik and David Reed, Peter Jensen's response, Catherine Waynick's pastoral letter, James Shand's pastoral letter, Philip Duncan's notes, Clifton Daniel's reflections, Diocese of East Tennessee's "Windsor Process" page.

October 17

Added links to: Njongonkulu Ndungane's interview

October 15

Added links to: Paul Marshall's Convention Address, an interview with Nathan Baxter

October 12 (From San Diego, where I am visiting friends)

Added links to: William Love's letter, Gene Robinson's "Open Letter to the Letter to the LGBT Community," Joe Burnett's reflection, Alan Scarfe's comments, John Howard's letter, Chilton Knudson's letter, William Persell's letter.

October 7

Added links to: Leo Frade's reflection.

October 6

Added links to: CAPA Statement, Susan Russell's statement on behalf of Integrity

October 5

Added links to: George Wayne Smith's impressions (thanks, Lisa!) , Henry Orombi's response, Charles Bennison's column, Barry Morgan's report. Posted Cate Waynick's letter, (below--thanks, Ann!).

==========
Dear Friends,

What an amazing turn of events!

The overall response of the Joint Committee to the House of Bishops message is positive – yet the Evangelicals in theChurch of England demand that the ABC denounce the church in the US over thepossibility of consecrating a partnered gay to the episcopate - and ourblessing of same sex unions! They threaten to divide the English church overthis - just as TEC is threatened.We simply have to be more vocal about this....the C of E blesses same-sexunions. The partnered homosexual clergy in the C of E are entitled, underBritish law, to register their relationships in order to gain the legal benefits accorded them. The C or E House of Bishops issued a statement to that effect in November or December of 2005. Following that C of E HOB statement a condemnatory letter issued fromNigeria - reminding the English church that TEC and others were being ostracized for that sort of thing. But outrage at the C of E does not seem to have anystaying power -- either in other parts of the Communion or in TEC. When Bishop Mark Sisk and I asked the ABC about same-sex blessings - aboutwhat the difference is between what happens in the Cof E and what happens insome places here he answered, "They ( in England) are not public."

They may not be public events, but they are certainly not secret. Our own Bp. Duncan was recently interviewed about the tensions within TEC and was asked if his decision to urge separation from TEC was a new thing. He said it was not - that during the Civil War several dioceses separated for atime over the issue of slavery - which he described as a social issue, not asalvation issue!!But the very fact that he would urge separation from TEC but not from the Cof E - where same sex blessings (non-public as they may be in nature) also take place - certainly raises questions. That C of E evangelicals wouldthreaten a split in their own church over what is happening here rather than overwhat is happening there -- again raises questions.

I can only say what I have said before. The issue is not really homosexuality. It is not about what is "repugnant to Scripture." If it were, Bp Duncan would be calling for his followers to disassociate themselves from the C of E because of its permissive stance about same sex blessings even among their ownclergy! It is rather about what has become repugnant to some of the clergy and members of this church who have become willing to use sex as a wedge to gain support from others around the Communion. The issue is about the dramatic shift in power and authority over the lastforty years within TEC. We have a catechism which clearly states that theministers of the church are lay persons, bishops, priests and deacons. We began admitting all baptised persons to the sacred eucharistic meal - including children. Women began serving on Vestries and Bishop's Committees, as chalice bearers, as convention delegates and Deputies. And we began ordaining women as priests and bishops. The C of E has gone through similar changes, and with new conversations about women in the episcopate...well, something must be done.

The list of offenses has become intolerable, but none of those issues would provide the frenzy of support our dissenters require to gain their ends. But for churches in places where there are very few cracks in the solid patriarchy of social, political or religious life, homosexuality provides the wedge. Even the notion of homosexuality is emasculating in some cultures - we heardthis very clearly from the Chancellor of Ghana - a woman who described herself as having learned to work within their system, and who has no intention of making the waves required to push her province into a "listening process" about homosexuality.

As a member of the writing group I will confess that I am not satisfied with the statement from the House of Bishops. I was also not satisfied with B033. We said nothing new in that portion of our NOLA statement. There simply cannot have been anyone in this church who didn't already know that B033 includes non-celibate gay and lesbian persons. About the blessing of same sex unions we repeated ourselves. They keep asking for a guarantee that we will not provide public liturgies, and we keep telling them that we have no public liturgies. We have agreed not to produce them until a "consensus emerges around the Communion" OR until the GC acts. One might happen far sooner than the other.....and we remain adamant that responses to individual pastoral situations is a local matter. Of course the last paragraph of our statement speaks of where our hearts arer ather than the reality of our common life. I can only imagine what St.Paul was thinking when he wrote that "when anyone is in Christ there is a newcreation...." clearly not completely true, but certainly the hope of faithful hearts. We included it because we simply had to reiterate our desire to come to that place, and to make it clear to others that it is where we know we ought to be.

I sincerely hope that someone will call the evangelicals in the C of E on their hypocrisy, and that many more of us here at home will start calling our own struggle what it is - a fight to regain power and control in order to return TEC to its even more deeply flawed past..... though even “back in the day” we came to recognize slavery as a moral evil.

Sorry this posting is so long -- I don't chime in that often.

A bit of good news; I look forward to a diocesan convention at which a group of folks are petitioning to become a mission congregation of this diocese. They want to be Episcopalians!

Peace to you,
+Cate Waynick
==========

October 4

Added the following links: Mouneer Anis' response, Edward Konieczny's reflections, Neff Powell's update, reflections by Louisiana's Canon to the Ordinary

October 3

Added the following links: Report of the Joint Standing Committee, Ruth Gledhill's report on reactions to the Committee's report

October 2

Added links to statements by the following: Robin Eames, Michael Garrison, and Nathan Baxter.

October 1

Updates Added links to new statements.

September 30

I spent four days at a conference with no internet access, and I return to find not much has really happened. Well, other than that the "usual suspects" took one step closer to attempting to move their shadow church forward--like we didn't know that was coming! My favorite comment on the ongoing reactions to and spin of the bishops' statement is this one, which appeared on epiScope:

...and behold, how many competing interpretations can be made of one document that is only one day old and written in the contemporary language of those reporting on it, with the authors nearby for clarification! Now do you see why the interpretation of a set of 66 books in several different languages at several thousand years' remove is such a challenge for mere human beings?

I have added a few more statements from bishops. Now I think I will go finish my mystery novel.

Peace,
Jeffri

September 26

Well, it did not take long. Statements started appearing yesterday when Gene Robinson and Bruce McPherson were quoted in this Reuters article. As I did with their March meeting, I'll try and find as many of their statements and reports as I can. They will be listed by province. After tonight, I will not have computer access until Sunday evening, so there will be no updates until then. By then I also hope to have been able to gather my own thoughts and put them in some sort of coherent form for a separate post. Until then, pray for the Church.

Peace,
Jeffri

The Bishops Speak During Their September Meeting

September 25 - Evening

The bishops have spoken. It seems that the self-names "reasserters" are already expressing disappointment. I am sure this will amplify over the next few days. It also remains to be seen what will happen over the next couple of days at the so called Common Cause Council of Bishops meeting in Pittsburgh.

When I post this tonight, it will be the last time I add to or edit this post. Any further tracking will be of bishops' statements and reports to their dioceses, which I will do in a new post.

I will probably post a response of my own once I've had some time to reread and digest the collective statement the bishops issued at the end of their meeting.

Peace,
Jeffri

September 25 - Afternoon

All quiet on the southern front. I have added and updated some links, but for the most part there is nothing concrete to report. The usual suspects have thoughts on what to expect from the bishops later today, but at this point, it is all speculation.

In the meantime, the folks at Stand Firm seem to be digging up every instance of diocesan approval for same-sex blessings they can find and as many instances of actual blessings as they can. I know what they are trying to prove, and I am not sure that I disagree with them--for different reasons, but they do have a point. It's the tone of the commentors that I find increasingly over the top. I wish they would just post these and close them for comments.

I figure the proverbial ----- will hit the fan while I am at my Education for Ministry seminar listening to spiritual autobiographies.

Peace,
Jeffri

September 24 - Evening

As I suspected, all you-know-what seemed to break forth in the blogosphere while I was gone today. And this surprises me how?

The primary reason for all the "fuss" is a draft statement the bishops are working with. Repeat: DRAFT STATEMENT. Here is the article from ENS posted on Episcopal Life Online. Here is Episcopal Cafe's report on the ENS story, which they posted before ENS released it. Over at Stand Firm, Matt Kennedy has transcribed the draft from notes taken during an open session of the bishops' meeting. Here is John Clinton Bradley's report on Walking with Integrity. Matt has also posted a "Draft Copy of Notes from an informal meeting of 57 Bishops listing agreements and disagreements."

Let me say once again how much in awe I am of the work the folks over at Stand Firm do covering these meetings, etc. While I do not agree with their point of view, the "reporting" part of what they post is usually pretty reliable. Just steer clear of reading the comments on the posts!!!

Bishop Steenson's resignation and move the the Roman Catholic Church was noted in this article on Clerical Whispers, the blog of an Irish Roman Catholic priest. From everything I have read or heard about Bishop Steenson, he was well respected, and the people of his diocese--of whatever "persuasion"--will miss him. This is a loss for the Episcopal Church, but I respect Bishop Steenson's integrity and his decision. Remember him in your prayers.

Peace,
Jeffri

P.S. FWIW: On this day in 1867, 76 from Anglican churches around the world met at the first Lambeth Conference.

September 24 - Morning

Obivously, nothing much is going on yet, as it is still relatively early in the day. I've added links to a couple of interviews and sermons. The only other thing of note that seems to be piquing people's interest is the story in the UK Guardian about some bishops working on a possible compromise.

I have the day off and will be out running errands, etc. I am sure there will be all manner of news, opinions, moaning and groaning, etc. when I get back this evening.

Peace,
Jeffri

September 23

The bishops spent the day yesterday helping the reconstruction effort in New Orleans. You can read the ENS story here. For a notable development, take a look at Jeffrey Steenson's letter to his clergy.

Other than that, not much happened today. Well, except for the various proposals for all or part of the Episcopal Church to withdraw from Lambeth or even the Communion itself (and become "associate" members) being discussed on various blogs.

I have updated some links and added a few others. Mostly I spent the day away from any computers--a refreshing thing to do once in a while.

Oh, and David Virtue is declaring "THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION IS FINISHED." Remember, this is David...

Peace,
Jeffri

September 22

This will probably be--and thankfully--a slow news day in terms of the bishops' meeting as they are out in the city "getting their hands dirty" doing some work to assist the rebuilding of New Orleans.

The primary purpose of this post, which I will keep updated and moved to the top until their meeting ends, is to track what the bishops themselves have to say. If you are interested in seeing accounts of the meeting from mainstream media sources, check epiScope (9/20, 9/21) and Walking with Integrity (9/21). Both these sites have links to those stories. If you are interested in seeing what is being said in the blogospere (and just about everywhere else!), check out TitusOneNine ( 9/21-1). T19 also has a post with links to blogs/sites of people who are "on the ground" in New Orleans.

Peace,
Jeffri

September 21 - Updated

It seems some of the bishops have already started letting their folks know what has been going on in New Orleans. Here is an email from Tom Shaw of Massachusetts posted on Kendall Harmon's Titusonenine. I am absolutely in awe of how quickly Kendall and the folks over at Stand Firm (take a look at their postings of proposed resolutions from various bishops, although you might want to avoid the comments, as some of the threads look to already be devolving into nastiness) get a hold of emails, documents, etc. almost as soon as they are released--and sometimes before they are released!

And throughout the day we have been seeing copies of statements made during the meeting--often released by the bishop who made the statement--and news reports of others'.

At this point, I feel no need to comment. You can read enough commentary in the usual places.

Peace,
Jeffri

Statements, Sermons and Addresses:

• Marc Andrus, California
• Mouneer Anis, Egypt and Presiding Bishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East, so far only on Stand Firm and excerpts on BabyBlueOnline
• Robert Duncan, Pittsburgh, quoted in this article in the UK Guardian
• Katharine Jefferts Schori's 9/23 sermon at Christ Church Cathedral and the ENS coverage
• Jeffrey Steenson, Rio Grande, in an article posted by The Living Church
• Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, 9/20 Sermon and 9/21 Press Conference Remarks

Reports from Bishops

• Thomas Breidenthal, Southern Ohio, in an email posted on The Religious Left Blog
• Chris Epting, Ecumenical Officer for the Episcopal Church, (9/21, 9/22, 9/23, 9/24) on his That We All May Be One
• John Howe, Central Florida, has a proposal that is posted on TitusOneNine
• Barry Morgan, Wales, in an interview with John Gibson of Walking with Integrity
• Ken Price, Southern Ohio, in an email posted on The Religious Left Blog
• Tom Shaw, Massachusetts, also an interview with John Gibson of Walking with Integrity
• Kirk Smith, Arizona, on Nicholis Knisley's Entangled States
• James Stanton, Dallas, in an interview with Sarah Hey on Stand Firm
• Jeffrey Steenson, Rio Grande, in a video interview with Sarah Hey and a letter to his clergy, both on Stand Firm

News Media/Blog Reports of Statements:

• The UK Telegraph reports "witnesses said" Gene Robinson told the Archbishop of Canterbury...

Other News Reports:
As usual, ENS/Episcopal Life Online seems a bit slower than other outlets.

Accounts of the Meeting from Mainstream Media Sources

• epiScope: 9/20, 9/21, 9/23, 9/25
• Walking with Integrity: 9/20, 9/21, 9/22, 9/23, 9/24
• TitusOneNine does a pretty good job of posting articles from the mainstream press--and the blogosphere--just avoid the comments on the posts.

September 20 Press Conference with Bishops Robert O'Neill of Colorado and John Rabb of Maryland

• ENS report

September 21 Press Conference with the Archbishop of Canterbury

Episcopal Life Online photo by Matthew Davies

• Matt Kennedy's report on Stand Firm
• ENS' report
• The Living Church's report
• Integrity's report on Walking with Integrity

September 24 Press Conference

• Matt Kennedy's live blogging notes on Stand Firm

Conservative Bishops Leave the Meeting

• David Virtue's story. I do not usually look at David's site, but during meetings like this I check it because he seems to be "in" with bishops like Robert Duncan of Pittsburg and Kieth Ackerman of Quincy. However, always take David's "news reports" with a grain of salt. I was particularly struck by this quote: "We came out of respect for Dr. Williams" two orthodox bishops told VOL. "It is clear to us, however, that there will be no change of direction for the HOB and the Episcopal Church and there is no reason for us to stay." An interesting view, since from the beginning, these bishops planned to leave as soon as Archbishop Williams left.
• Mark Harris' post on his Preludium talks about bishops' schedules posted on various diocesan and Communion web sites, including a meeting of the Common Cause Council of Bishops in Pittsburgh September 25-28.

Sunday's Prayer For The Bishops

Calm them, O God, as You stilled the storm.
Still them, O God, keep them from harm.
Let all the tumult within them cease.
Enfold them, Lord, in Your peace.


Creator, bless the work that is done
and the work that is to be.


Creator, bless the servants that they are
and the servants they will be.


Amen.


Adapted from Celtic Daily Prayer, p. 38

Saturday's Prayer for the Bishops

Heavenly Creator, in your Word you have given us a vision of that holy City to which the nations of the world bring their glory: Behold and visit, we pray, the City of New Orleans. Renew the ties of mutual regard which form its civic life. Send the people honest and able leaders. Enable us to eliminate poverty, prejudice, and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness, and justice with order, that people from different cultures and with differing talents may find with one another the fulfillment of their humanity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

--Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, p. 825

Friday's Prayer For The Bishops

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life, we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

--Book of Common Prayer, p. 100

You Can't Get Theah From Heeah

There is an old story about someone lost in New England--usually Maine or New Hampshire. When s/he stops to ask directions from a local, there follows a lot of discussion, which is ended when the local finally declares, usually in an exaggerated Maine or New Hampshire accent, "You can't get theah from heeah."

I am reminded of that story nightly in this corner of Connecticut. Northeast Utilities is upgrading the transmission system, including "the installation of new overhead and underground lines and the reconstruction of some existing lines along a 69-mile route through 18 cities and towns." They are digging trenches in many of the main roads through these 18 towns, including Norwalk. The construction takes place during the night, and steel plates cover the trenches during the day. What that means is that after 7:00 or 8:00 in the evening local traffic patterns become a maze. For the past couple of weeks I have not been able to turn into my driveway from the eastbound lane of Connecticut Avenue. Where the road work is, people have to make sometimes lengthy detours to get to their homes. It also doubles, triples, and quadruples the amount of time it takes to drive from Point A to Point B in town.

This evening driving home from doing some errands, I planned my route along back roads, thus saving myself at least 15 minutes of traffic snarls. Given today's news from New Orleans--or the lack of it--I found myself pondering "You can't get theah from heeah," not only in relation to the local traffic, but also in terms of the bishops' meeting in New Orleans.

As you have seen, I have kept myself out of the spin cycle over the past few days, at least in terms of my blog. Instead, I have posted a prayer for the bishops and their meeting each day. That does not mean I have not read other blogs and news reports. Today's were, for the most part, especially dull and useless. They remind me of days when there is some big news event and television stations cancel everything to provide continual coverage by their news departments. Sometimes there are no new developments, but news coverage there must be. So the talking heads repeat stuff we just heard less than two minutes ago, start discussing related items of little or no substance and trying to make "real news" out of it, or they bring in the pundits to do commentaries and make prognostications. Why is it everyone feels they have to say something important when nothing is going on?

But I digress.

Reading the reports and prognostications over the past couple of days it occurs to me that we "can't get theah from heeah" in the Anglican Communion because:

1. We do not agree on where "heeah" is.
2. We do not agree on where "theah" is.
3. Heck, we can't even listen to each other long enough to see if we can create a new "heeah" so that we can even begin a journey together that might just lead us to the as yet unknown "theah" in the fullness of God's time.

Of course, there's also the problem of who is and is not allowed to journey with us, which is what started this mess in the first place...

Peace,
Jeffri

Thursday's Prayer For The Bishops

Almighty and most merciful God, grant, we beseech you, that by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit our bishops may be enlightened and strengthened for your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you7, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

A Prayer For The Bishops As They Begin Their Meeting

God our Creator,
when you speak there is light and life,
when you act there is justice and love;
grant that your love may be present in the bishops' meeting
so that what they say and what they do
may be filled with your Holy Spirit.
Amen.


--Adapted from A New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 141

Tuesday's Prayer For The Bishops

Help me today to realise that you will be speaking to me
through the events of the day, through people,
through things, and through creation.
Give me ears, eyes and heart to perceive you,
however veiled your presence may be.
Give me insight to see through the exterior of things
to the interior truth.
Give me your Spirit of discernment.
O Lord, you know how busy I must be this day.
If I forget you, do not forget me.

--Jacob Astley

Monday's Prayer For The Bishops

We cannot speak,
unless You loose our tongues;
We only stammer,
and we speak uncertainly;
but if You touch our mouths,
O God,
then we will sing the story
of Your wonders!

Teach us to hear that story,
through each person,
to cradle a sense of wonder
in their life,
to honor the hard-earned wisdom
of their sufferings,
to waken their joy
that the King of all kings
stoops down
to wash their feet
and looking up
into their face
says,
"I know -- I understand."

This world has become
a world of broken dreams
where dreamers are hard to find
and friends are few.

Lord, be the gatherer of our dreams.
You set the countless stars in place,
and found room for each of them to shine.
You listen for us in Your heaven-bright hall.
Open our mouths to tell our tales of wonder.

--Adapted from Celtic Daily Prayer, pp. 198-199

Sunday's Prayer For The Bishops

O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

--The Book of Common Prayer, p. 824

Friday's Prayer For The Bishops

Almighty and eternal God, so draw the hearts of our bishops to you, so guide their minds, so fill their imaginations, so control theirwills, that they may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then us them, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen



--Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, pp. 832-33

Scheming Bishops?

In spite of my attempts to avoid the dreck over at Stand Firm, someone pointed me to a short post by Greg Griffith. It is a rather self-congratulatory piece--without details, of course--about how Stand Firm got a hold of a copy of a report for next week's meeting of the bishops of the Episcopal Church.

This particular bit had me rolling on the floor laughing:

...it was the work of a group, separated by a combined thousands of miles, all with their own kind of expertise, determined not to let this church be returned to an era of bishops scheming in secrecy...

Excuse me? Bishops scheming in secrecy? As if Duncan, Iker, Akinola, Minns, et. al. have been above board and completely open about their tactics in the attempts to oust or replace the Episcopal Church. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Or maybe it is okay because their scheming also involves clergy and laity? After all, they had to engage in a bit of sneakiness to get a hold of a report that was not meant for general consumption. And if it was not through stealth, then why didn't Greg just tell us the names of everyone who played a part in getting the report and how it was done, instead of posting this vague piece?

Transparency indeed!

Peace,
Jeffri

Burning Sissies

When I was a child, one of the worst things you could call a boy was "sissy." By the time I entered junior high school (middle school), the word most often hurled at not-so-masculine boys was "faggot." When I was in my late twenties and doing student teaching, the word often thrown about was "gay." Among children and youth those words are more about mannerisms, lack of athletic prowess, bookishness, and differences than about actual sexuality. They are tools of conformity.

Another phrase we often hear is "be a man." In other words,

Be strong, not a sissy. Don't cry like a girl. Don't show pain. Don't show fear...

Peter Ould posted on his blog An Exercise in the Fundamentals of Orthodoxy (subtitled "Charismatic, Calvinistic, Anglican, PostGay - The Website of Peter Ould") "An Open Letter to The Orthodox Bishops in TEC," which includes a video. The video is a montage of footage depicting the execution by burning of Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley interspersed with a written message. The text, in part, paraphrases Latimer's last words to Ridley:

It is time once again to be of good comfort and to Play the Man.

Be a man. Be strong, not a sissy. Don't cry like a girl. Don't show pain. Don't show fear...

That message came through loud and clear to Greg Griffith over at Stand Firm. First in "Peter Ould to TEC Bishops: Play the Man Again" Greg wrote:

Seeing as how so many TEC bishops seem to have been chosen from the winners of sissy contests, I'm not sure how well they'll respond to it, but it can't hurt to try."

Then yesterday, Greg titled his post about Mark Harris' commentary on Peter's video "Mark Harris Gets Squeamish; Peter Ould Mans Up."

Be a man. Be strong, not a sissy. Don't cry like a girl. Don't show pain. Don't show fear...

Peter's own response to Mark included this remark:

You know, one might almost think that I’m being accused of advocating such things (the burning of witches, heretics, homosexuals - though incidentally I know of no recorded instance of the institutional church ever burning anybody for being a homosexual), that I am such a wicked person who wills death upon those I despise.

Perhaps Peter ought to use the word "sodomy" when doing historical research. "Homosexuality" was not coined until the late 19th Century (and even searching using "homosexual" turns up this BBC article). Charges of "sodomy" were often added to the lists of charges against heretics. In some cases, "sodomy" was the heretical act prosecuted. And even if "sodomy" was not part of the official charge, it played heavily in the prosecution and conviction of many, such as the Knights Templar.

Not many of us may have been burned, but we have certainly been prosecuted and persecuted over the centuries, whatever label was used. Often in cases where sexual interaction was introduced in evidence, the "passive" partner was subjected to additional ridicule. Even today in many cultures the "passive" partner is the "faggot." The message is clear.

Be a man. Be strong, not a sissy. Don't cry like a girl. Don't show pain. Don't show fear. Don't be "passive" like a woman...

Peter wants the bishops to "man it up" and stand firm for what they believe, even if it brings about their [figurative] burning at the stake for doing so. They should be willing to be martyrs for what they believe is the "right Christian faith." But what of those whose "right Christian faith" is different from Peter's or the Stand Firm crowd's? Are we to be [figuratively] burned for holding on to our beliefs in the face of those who disagree with us? And are we martyrs or heretics? I can probably guess the answer.

Be a man. Be strong, not a sissy. Don't cry like a girl. Don't show pain. Don't show fear. Don't be "passive" like a woman...

...and don't challenge the "True Church."

I find a couple of interesting things about Peter's choice of Latimer and Ridley for his video message. While both were arrested, prosecuted, convicted and executed for standing up for their religious beliefs, Ridley's arrest and execution had as much to do with an act of treason as for his religious views. Also, in the context of 16th Century England, Latimer's and Ridley's views were the upstart and "heretical" ones. The Roman Catholic Church, to which Mary I remained faithful, represented orthodoxy in religion and theology. "Calvanistic" Peter would likely have suffered the same fate had he lived at that time--because he was NOT orthodox.

But it is not who was orthodox and who was heretic that are important for Peter. It is Latimer's words to Ridley that form the foundation of his message to the TEC bishops.

It is time once again to be of good comfort and to Play the Man.

Be a man. Be strong, not a sissy. Don't cry like a girl. Don't show pain. Don't show fear. Don't be "passive" like a woman...

Peace,
Jeffri

It's Official

Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, will be coming to meet with the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops. The news first came from a Canadian newspaper report, but here is the official word from Lambeth Palace.

Peace,
Jeffri

Why The Rainbow Presence Is Still Necessary

C. Christopher Epting, retired Bishop of Iowa and the Episcopal Church's Ecumencial Officer, posted What the Bishops Didn't Do on his blog That We All May Be One. Of particular interest is the second paragraph, which says:

What we did NOT do was to foreclose discussion on the Episcopal Church’s response to the main requests of the Primates’ Communique. We have not “ruled” on whether or not to reassure the Primates that General Convention meant what it said when it asked us and our Standing Committees not to give consent to any bishop-elect whose manner of life might prove of concern to the wider Anglican Communion and to clarify for them the status of the blessing of same-sex relationships in this church.

Please take the time to read Bishop Epting's entire piece, because his analysis and insights are often helpful in looking at the bigger picture.

However, the discussion goes on, and we still need to make sure that we are visible and insist that we are part of the discussion, not just talked at or about.