It’s a rather neat set-up, don’t you think? Get the uneasy bishops to face disciplinary charges, and then soft-soap them with promises of full (well, almost) confidentiality. And then disregard the terms of the Accord entirely, thereby letting the accused bishops know that nothing, absolutely nothing, will stand in the way of intimidating them to whatever extent may be necessary to keep them silent.
In other words, despite your own contempt for the language of the Accord, continue to hold it over them, to intimidate them from attempting to commit such an outrageous act of disloyalty ever again. And if the bishops allow that continuing intimidation to affect their actions, then I pray for them, and for the future of a Church that is in such cynical and calculating hands.
Thanks to Allan Haley for breaking this story, and for once again providing us with exceptionally lucid and enlightening commentary. The foolish leaders of TEC seem to have forgotten that “the truth will out” and prevail in the end. The Psalmist speaks at times of evildoers who fall into the traps they have set for the innocent, and that may well apply in this sordid case.
I must admit that these sorts of reprehensible shenanigans by the PB and her odiose chancellor leave me with nothing but utter disdain and contempt for them.
David Handy+
You’re in good company.