[i]The second half of the latest article in the TLC on the Diocese of San Joaquin vote today highlights the legal complexities that are likely to arise following today’s decision[/i]
There are also new legal complications in the U.S. Some congregations and clergy in the Diocese of San Joaquin do not want to leave The Episcopal Church and it appears likely that Bishop Jefferts Schori will attempt court enforcement to ensure that all property and other assets remain with the loyal minority. Some members of the minority have organized as Remain Episcopal San Joaquin. They were scheduled to meet at Holy Family, Fresno, at the conclusion of convention.
After the results to affiliate with the Southern Cone were announced, a lay delegate from Holy Family Church, Fresno, rose on a point of personal privilege to ask who the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese would be if Bishop Schofield were to be inhibited. One of the two diocesan chancellors responded that since the convention no longer recognized the authority of The Episcopal Church, Bishop Schofield could only be inhibited by the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone. Toward the conclusion of convention, Bishop Schofield announced that certificates from the Southern Cone were available for clergy to display in their offices.
Just how complicated the legal environment is likely to become was highlighted toward the end of the meeting during debate over a motion to permit Holy Family, Fresno, to begin the process to file incorporation paperwork with the State of California. One of the diocesan chancellors left the convention podium and from one of the microphones set up for delegates inquired whether the convention had the authority to grant the parish’s request given the fact that Holy Family had already stated that it wished to incorporate as an Episcopal parish.
Despite some misgivings that approval of the request would add to the complex legal situation the votes had created, delegates approved the request after one of the delegates reminded the convention that Bishop Schofield had previously said both he and the diocese would do all in their power to assist any congregation or member of the clergy who wanted to remain with The Episcopal Church.
According to the [url=http://new.kendallharmon.net/wp-content/uploads/index.php/t19/article/8217/#155111 ]minutes of a Via Media conference[/url] [i]two years ago[/i], they were already discussing replacements for +Schofield. Most likely the candidates are already picked out. Wonder if it will fall to Rick Matters, rector of St. John’s, Lodi who was in attendance for that meeting where they conspired to depose and sue +Schofield.
robroy,
I’m not sure if this info makes any difference to the point you are trying to imply, but Rick hasn’t been the rector of Lodi for at least 6 months.
RGEaton
Robroy, you sure have it out for Revdo. Rick Matters. Why is that? He is not longer a part of the former diocese of San Joaquin.
Schismed early, huh?
My point is that the quisling “Acting Bishop” of the “Episcopal diocese of San Joaquin” is probably already chosen. So the fact that the conspirator Rick Matters has left Lodi doesn’t really matter.
I googled and found out that Rick Matters went to El Camino Real in May. What is interesting is that the national church’s blog Episcope thought that his leaving was important enough to place the story on it’s website. How slanted can you get. If a Network priest in, say Olympia, quits and moves to Pittsburgh would that be newsworthy enough for Episcope?
Actually, although I think the whole diocese did in fact leave TEC, I think it is reasonable for 815 to set up some sort of pastoral arrangement with a new bishop for the geographic area. The rest of the matter, involving legitimacy and property issues, is sadly for the courts and wider communion to thrash out.