The Episcopal News Service has announced that Bishop Ian Douglas of Connecticut was elected by the Executive Council on June 18 to succeed Bishop Catherine Roskam as the episcopal representative from TEC on the Anglican Consultative Council. In addition, a presbyter, the Rev. Gay Jennings, was elected to the clerical seat on the ACC formerly held but since vacated by Bishop Douglas.
We note that until recently Bishop Douglas also held a presbyter seat on the Executive Council as well but he formally resigned that position in February in light of his anticipated consecration to the episcopate. He noted in his resignation letter that:
The reason for my resignation is my “translation” to a new order as a result of being elected to the episcopate in the Diocese of Connecticut. I thus can no longer serve as a presbyter elected by the General Convention to the Executive Council.
Although there has been public confusion on this issue, Bishop Douglas has stated that he did not send a similar letter to the ACC, notwithstanding his recognition that he “can no longer serve as a presbyter” and the confirmation now by Executive Council that his presbyter seat on the ACC is vacant and needed to be filled. Indeed, today Bonnie Anderson described both seats as “open.”
This recognition by the Executive Council that Bishop Douglas’s clerical seat has been vacated and the attempt to elect him to the episcopal seat have clear consequences under the ACC’s constitution and rules. The point at which Bishop Douglas’s clerical seat was vacated was his consecration to the episcopate in April, and accordingly he ceased to be a member of the ACC’s standing committee at that time. Restoration of the ACC’s credibility requires recognition of these facts notwithstanding TEC’s determination to flout the ACC rules.
Excellent piece of work by the ACI. One prays that they are able to get this into the hands of the ACC chair before the meeting of the Standing Committee in July. One also prays that the ABoC backs this position as a necessary step in repairing the Instruments of Communion.
We might await a rejoinder from the likes of David Booth Beers – but if the ACI has done its homework, and it usually does(!), this looks like a lay-down misère … With Lambeth Palace in current mood, we could even see some action forthwith …
Either the members of the Executive Council were unaware of the violations of the ACC constitution or didn’t care. Either way, it looks bad. A [url=http://babybluecafe.blogspot.com/2010/06/breaking-news-episcopal-president.html]report[/url] that Schori has defied Abp Williams’ request to absent herself from the primates and standing commitee meetings is also circulating.
TEC disregards the ACC constitution? TEC has disregarded its own constitution and cannons. Q.E.D.
#4- Reading between the lines of what Canon Kearon had to say about the last Standing Committee meeting, I surmise that KJS may have learned that she cannot rule the ACC bylaws “out of order” as she does with TEC canons.
The question of whether the Standing Committee will take action may rest with ++Aspinall of Australia. One notes that KJS has not been to Australia as part of her “Sacred Mitre Tour”. And so far as one is aware, there seems no inclination on the part of the Australians to book a tour date.
And I wonder if ++Henry Orombi might not be persuaded to attend, if ++Rowan were to put a certain bit of legislation at the front end of the agenda?
The Episcopal Church does not honor its own Constitution and Canons. We should not be surprise that they do not recognize the Constitution, canons, by-laws, or rules of the ACC. As they have reinterpreted scripture they do so with everything to justify their own new thing…a spirit contrary to God the Holy Spirit.
They shall reap the whirlwind…but they are not likely to realize it when it happens.
Sorry to disappoint, tjmcmahon – please see:
http://www.anglicantaonga.org.nz/News/Common-Life/KJSCray