What actions were taken against Bishop Lawrence?<\/p>\n
On Monday, October 15, 2012, the Bishop was informed of the actions of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops (a feature of the Title IV changes to the national Canons which our Diocese rejected because they are contrary to the TEC Constitution). They had apparently voted a month earlier to \u201ccertify\u201d\u009d that he had abandoned the Church.<\/p>\n
What does that mean?<\/p>\n
To this Diocese, as explained below, it has no canonical meaning or legal effect. However, TEC believes his actions amounted to renouncing the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Church. The TEC canons require the Presiding Bishop promptly to notify the Bishop. It appears that did not happen. She informed him verbally nearly a month after the ostensible date of this certification. Even now we do not know when the certification was signed. All this after beginning a conversation in the interim about the potential for a negotiated settlement of our differences.<\/p>\n