PASSED by voice vote
Resolution 2007-01 “Pledge to National Church”
Be it resolved, by the 133rd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Fond du Lac, that the system used for 2007 to adjust our pledge to the national church through individual restrictions be continued for 2008, and
Be it further resolved that subsequent to the calculation of the ‘restricted’ pledge, that ten percent of the non-restricted operating diocesan income for 2006 become our pledge to the national church for 2008
PASSED by orders
Resolution 2007-02 “Proposed Anglican Covenant”
Be it resolved, by the 133rd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Fond du Lac, that
1. The Diocese of Fond du Lac welcomes such a Covenant process as the development of a document of what has hitherto been unwritten.
2. The Diocese of Fond du Lac believes that the draft from Dar es Salaam is a worthy beginning and encourages its further development along the lines suggested as the Covenant describes the limits of autonomy, while encouraging interdependence in Communion.
3. The Diocese of Fond du Lac believes that autonomy is limited by interdependence and so commits itself to be subject to the wisdom of the Communion and its instruments of unity and Communion.
4. The Diocese of Fond du Lac commits itself to work with the Anglican Communion in the development of an effective interdependent and accountable membership in the Anglican Communion.
5. The Diocese of Fond du Lac commits itself to working within the structures of the Episcopal Church, USA.
And,
Be it further resolved, that a copy of this resolution certified by the Secretary of this Convention, be forwarded to the Presiding Bishop, the Secretary of the House of Bishops for distribution to the House of Bishops, the President and Secretary of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church for distribution to the members of the Executive Council and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
PASSED by orders
Resolution 2007-03 “Anglican Pastoral Scheme”
Be it resolved, by the 133rd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Fond du Lac, that
1. The Diocese of Fond du Lac, expresses its regret that the leadership of the Episcopal Church has rejected this pastoral scheme, and
2. The Diocese of Fond du Lac, asks the leadership of the Episcopal Church to provide meaningful pastoral support and oversight to the dissenting minority, having involved persons from that dissenting minority in discussion,
And,
Be it further resolved, that a copy of this resolution certified by the Secretary of this Convention, be forwarded to the Presiding Bishop, the Secretary of the House of Bishops for distribution to the House of Bishops, the President and Secretary of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church for distribution to the members of the Executive Council and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
PASSED by orders
Resolution 2007-04 “Regarding National Church Litigation”
Be it resolved, by the 133rd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Fond du Lac, that
The Diocese of Fond du Lac, asks that the National Church cease its participation in the litigation that is at present before the courts and any future such litigation of the type referenced in the Dar es Salaam communique.
And, Be it further resolved, that a copy of this resolution certified by the Secretary of this Convention, be forwarded to the Presiding Bishop, the Secretary of the House of Bishops for distribution to the House of Bishops, the President and Secretary of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church for distribution to the members of the Executive Council and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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Way to go Fond du Lac!
So, its only a small problem involving just a small number of people who disagree with the edicts of the General Convention.
An admirable and forthright set of resolutions. Bravo, FdL.
Can anyone from Fond du Lac venture an opinion as to whether the sentiments expressed in these resolutions are shared by Bishop Jacobus?
#4 Bishop Jacobus was very supportive in the deanery hearings that led up to the convention. The actual resolutions were written and edited by a community of clergy, some of whom had had conversations with the Bishop amongst others. We believe that our bishop is supportive of these resolutions.
Bishop Jacobus pastoral address this year was a clear challenge in that the communion and the Church in the US are in deep trouble –
http://www.episcopalfonddulac.org/event.asp?page=DiocesanConvention
This is the link to the diocesan page that includes the link to Bishop Jacobus’ pastoral address.
WOW!!!
Help from unexpected quarters. Who would have thought that the diocese of Fond du Lac would offer and pass these sorts of resolutions!!!
Thank you diocese of Fond Du Lac!!!
Thank you Sarah.
Up here we take very seriously the Apostolic Gospel and believe that the character of an organization is best demonstrated by the way the minority is treated.
Very clear and very helpful. I particularly appreciate that Fond du Lac recognizes implicitly the inherent contradiction between GC ’06 profession of interdependence (A-161?) and its stealthy reaffirmation of INdependence (B-032?), which it (falsely) equated with autonomy
FranM — I was confirmed in ’57 in Ripon by +Brady. Congratulations on the resolutions.
Sarah #6 — I would have been disappointed if they didn’t. (I’m still somewhat surprised, though, that the diocese of +Charles Grafton is not standing with Quincy, San Joaquin, and Fort Worth in FiF.)
Dear Craig – re #9
Holy hands indeed. Ripon is now vacant as a parish but may be close to getting a new rector.
As to your comment about FdL and FiF I may not be in the best position to comment since I am the token Protestant. However it is my observation that there are few who would be in the FiF camp. We have had a woman rector in this diocese and ordained two women to the priesthood. We have a small number of women clergy up here in charge of parishes. There are retired women priests up here who assist. Notwithstanding that we are still a rather old fashioned Catholic diocese, by my standards we are high church. My associate is very much an Anglo Catholic, high churchman. Some clergy would probably fit into the Affirming Catholic community. Some are clearly on the liberal, even revisionist, side of things. Many of our deacons are more clearly left of center. This being said we are a conservative and orthodox diocese which is not used to confrontation.
Up here in NE Wisconsin we have been rather off the radar screen for most people. A growing group of us have become more and more active in opposing the innovations and egregious activities of our ECUSA leadership. I believe that earlier on we were both isolated as well as incredulous, not believing that it would come to this current situation. It has taken some time for our good Bishop to become the vocal leader that he is becoming. He was one of the small group that signed the letter of objection in 2003 at the VGR consecration and has been a Windsor bishop since. He is a pastor and something of an evangelist. Confrontation is difficult when pastoral listening and seeking to include all at the table is how we have been community for so long. This situation we are now in has taken many out of our comfort zone. Necessity now demands taking a much firmer stand. Speaking up in the tradition of Baalam’s ass is a new experience. We do wish to be counted among the faithful who yet remain in ECUSA.
Thanks for the encouragement.
It is wonderful to hear that Bishop Jacobus has been so quietly but effectively leading. I was, for a short time, a member of his parish in Waukesha, before his bishopric, and I always thought well of him.
The only problem, of course, will be the commitment to the canons of the ECUSA, as this situation deteriorates. But one step at a time, perhaps?
In response to Craig Goodrich–
As a priest in FDL who was formerly a priest in Quincy I don’t think the two are very far apart. +Jacobus and + Ackerman see themselves as allies I think. +J. has repeatedly assured his clergy he plans to stay part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Quincy (and Fort Worth SanJoaquin etc.) asked for alternative oversight and didn’t get it. Now at their synod Quincy has said they are waiting to see what others do and what is made available. FDL is waiting to see what others do and what is made available.
In the meantime here in FDL we are making our position known. We want a covenant, we want a “pastoral scheme (primatial vicar or whatever), and we want an end to litigation (see the resolutions of our recent convention). At the parish level I and most of the orthodox clergy I know are keeping our eyes on Jesus, preaching the gospel and making disciples. The devil would win if we became distracted from that mission and wasted valuable time with our flocks on politics. Not gonna do it. Wouldn’t be prudent (to steal from Dana Carvey doing W).
As for our bishop he is being a bishop; trying to protect all the sheep while guarding the faith handed down from the Apostles. Very much like my former Bishop Bishop Ackerman. May God continue to protect and encourage both Bishop Ackerman and Bishop Jacobus.
Not all agree that fear and the Episcopal Church will break.
We need to work though the conflicts and remain as a body
of a faith. Have we forgotten the message that fixed positions
don’t help us to understand what is going on. I also believe
that when we start fearing what may have happen we promote oppression. We must find ways to work for stronger Episcopal
Church. If our Bishop is being a Bishop can he start to believe
that these actions will not break up the present Episcopal Church in
the United States. Promoting fear never really helps it promotes
trauma. I am one who believes that the Holy Spirit will keep us free
from fear. These conflicts will past and we will remain together with
God’s help.
Peace
Chippewa–
I don’t know what fear you’re talking about. Nor do I understand who is promoting trauma. The question is body of faith in what? Faith in Jesus and His Word or faith in man and man’s feelings? The heart of the issue is whether the Bible is something that informs our actions and to which we conform ourselves our is it something which we change at our whim to say what we want it to say or simply ignore it if we disagree.
Bishop Jacobus’ address is music for my soul. As are these resolutions. I needed to hear these words at this point in my life.
15– Amen. I read Bishop Jacobus’ address in place of my homily 10/21 and at a couple points got choked up just reading it. My parish was unanimous in praising it.
16–erfather, where are you in the diocese?
St. Mary of the Snows Anglican Church in Eagle River, WI