Saying he has “always been, innocent of the charges against me,” Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Bishop Charles Bennison announced late Sept. 22 that he would not honor his colleagues’ request that he resign his position.
Bennison, via a statement e-mailed to Episcopal News Service by his publicist, said that he hoped “the suffering I have endured during the past three years has strengthened me and will enable me to work for reconciliation within the diocese.”
The House of Bishops announced their request at the end of their Sept. 16-21 fall gathering in Phoenix, Arizona. In a lengthy and strongly worded “mind of the house” resolution, they said they were “profoundly troubled by the outcome of the disciplinary action” against Bennison, and had concluded that his “capacity to exercise the ministry of pastoral oversight is irretrievably damaged.”
Read it all and make sure to follow the link to Bishop Bennison’s whole response.
“…by his publicist”? And who pays for this, pray tell?
This was predicted by commentators on earlier threads.
I am not fully aware of the local and national canons, but might the diocese be able to take a lead by electing a coadjutor bishop who all agree shall actually hold the authority in practice?
Administrative decisions can then be made that essentially bypass the diocesan and pastoral invitations can go where the parishes want.
In the Roman world this is a common practice when a bishop has used up all his credit.
Has he had a mental health check up lately? Or did he read a different version of the decision of the courts than everyone else? He just really doesn’t get it – or is it wishful thinking. He just proves by this that he is unfit to lead ANYTHING!!!
Why does Bennison need a publicist? Can’t he speak for himself?
The Bishop says in his statement, “We are a small Church, but a
noble and historic one.” With his help, TEC is becoming even smaller and less noble–and all we will be is history…
So much for a bishop being a shepherd of the flock and servant of the people.