A major obligation of leadership is to recognize changed circumstances and to respond imaginatively and realistically to those circumstances. All of us recognize that we live at a time of economic recession. That reality is reflected in the significant number of congregations in our diocese that have reduced their pledge to what we do together in the diocesan budget. As diocesan bishop, it is my responsibility to face those changed circumstances and to respond accordingly. The position I hold is a significant part of our budget. I have decided, therefore, to resign as Diocesan Bishop effective October 1, 2009. That means that my absence for the last quarter of this calendar year will provide a 25% reduction in the cost of the position of diocesan bishop and will bring some relief to the stress on our budget. My resignation will occur several months earlier than I had originally anticipated but I believe it is an appropriate and necessary response to the realities we face. I am exploring the possibility of ministry in some other form after I leave Virginia as I begin my transition towards retirement.
While Bishop Johnston will become the Diocesan Bishop on October 1, 2009, his liturgical investiture as the 13th diocesan bishop will occur at the 215th Annual Council at the end of January 2010, when the Presiding Bishop will be present.
I cannot refer to these plans to leave the Diocese of Virginia without placing them in the context of thanksgiving for you, the clergy and the lay leadership of the Diocese of Virginia. I thank God daily for you and I am grateful for the privilege of serving among you.
Translation: the iceberg was not at all damaging; all is well.
A major obligation of leadership is to recognize changed circumstances and to respond imaginatively and realistically to those circumstances.
And in Virginia, this obligation has not been met. Welcome to San Francisco East!
It is shocking to see how quickly the Diocese of Virginia has gotten off center. It must be very troubling to a majority of the 60,000 Episcopalians left in the Diocese and to many still traditionally minded congregations. Still we wish Peter Lee well in his retirement.
http://www.pwcweb.com/ecw
Strange that this speech is referred to using the adjective ‘pastoral’. Seems to have very little to do with care of the soul in any positive sense.