The Rev. James Snell, president of the San Joaquin Standing Committee, has previously raised the possibility that Bishop Jefferts Schori might be liable for a presentment complaint under the canons which prohibit bishops from entering another bishop’s territory without permission. Under the canons to be considered for adoption by the special convention, the standing committee is the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese. The special convention is scheduled to begin in a few hours.
“Bishop Lawrence and the South Carolina Standing Committee have really gone out on a limb in respectfully calling for a second vote on the depositions and for postponement of the special convention,” the Rev. John Burwell, president of the standing committee told a reporter from The Living Church. “I am hoping that other diocesan bishops and standing committees will join me in respectfully calling for the consistent application of our canons.” Fr. Burwell, who also serves as rector of Holy Cross Church, Sullivans Island, also confirmed that the diocese had informed Bishop Jefferts Schori of their intent to make public the letter ahead of time and waited for confirmation that she had received it before doing so.
The lemmings will not be deterred or turned. But now they can’t say they weren’t warned:
[blockquote]“Bishop Lawrence and the South Carolina Standing Committee have really gone out on a limb in respectfully calling for a second vote on the depositions and for postponement of the special convention,†the Rev. John Burwell, president of the standing committee told a reporter from The Living Church. “I am hoping that other diocesan bishops and standing committees will join me in respectfully calling for the consistent application of our canons.†Fr. Burwell, who also serves as rector of Holy Cross Church, Sullivans Island, also confirmed that the diocese had informed Bishop Jefferts Schori of their intent to make public the letter ahead of time and waited for confirmation that she had received it before doing so.[/blockquote]
I wonder if they made the letter known to other standing committees prior to its release to the public? It would be hard to for other standing committees to meet and approve a letter of support in the short time between the letters release and the special convention. It is sad that a call to follow the canons is “going out on a limb.”
Also, note common courtesy being observed:
[blockquote]also confirmed that the diocese had informed Bishop Jefferts Schori of their intent to make public the letter ahead of time and waited for confirmation that she had received it before doing so.[/blockquote]
Much in contrast to KJS who informs people of their deposition, etc., by public letter.
OK, flash back time. Anyone remember the May 1, 2007 Press Release in which the PB took offense that the Archbishop of Nigeria was holding a service to install newly elected bishop Martyn Minns in Virginia? At the time she said: “such action would violate the ancient customs of the church which limits the episcopal activity of a bishop to only the jurisdiction to which the bishop has been entrusted, unless canonical permission has been given.” She added: “I strongly urge you not to do so … such action would not help the efforts of reconciliation that are taking place … such action would display to the world division and disunity that are not part of the mind of Christ, which we must strive to display to all.”
[block irony] Glad to see she’s not worried by those things any more, and is working so hard for reconciliation and against division and disunity now. [/block irony]
Gosh, if might makes right, one has to wonder if this diocese and possibly this ministry might someday be targeted for some sort of corporate disloyalty. Nonetheless I salute the Davids of this diocese for standing up to TEC.
“Reconciliation?” The woman doesn’t know the real meaning of that word! If she did, she’d stop talking and start listening (hearing and paying strict attention) for a change. The ONLY reconciliation she’s even remotely interested in is reconciliation on HER terms!
The kind of “reconciliation” +KJS wishes for DioSJ is that which a lion wishes for a gazelle that flees from it.
[blockquote]“I am hoping that other diocesan bishops and standing committees will join me in respectfully calling for the consistent application of our canons.†[/blockquote]
This is so quaint and innocent, it almost makes me weep. I’m sorry, Fr. Burwell, but you and your TEO-tropic friends on the TEO DioSJ Standing Committee have been stiff-armed out of the way. Comrade Kate has made you non-persons. You might be welcomed back to the pews, in time, but no one is going to ride to your defense.
[i]”Reconcilliation!”[/i]
“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
— Inigo Montoya (Princess Bride)