News for Week Ending 5/2/2011

Quincy to vote against Covenant

The Living Church published a letter from the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy 2012 General Convention deputation May 2, 2011. (A more complete version of the document can be found here.) In it, the Quincy deputies expressed grave reservations about the Anglican Covenant and its institutionalization of the “instruments of the Communion.” The deputies announced their intention to vote against adoption of the Covenant by The Episcopal Church. On April 28, Episcopal News Service ran a story reviewing what various dioceses have had to say about the Covenant.

Same-sex blessing authorized in San Joaquin

Real Anglicans reported April 30, 2011, that Bishop Chester Talton of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin has declared that, beginning on Pentecost 2011, his clergy “may perform blessings of same gender civil marriages, domestic partnerships, and relationships which are lifelong committed relationships characterized by ‘fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God.’” Pending changes in church canon and California law, such relationships are to be referred to as “sacred unions.”

Fort Worth parties argue about bond; Iker diocese faces new suit

According to the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, on April 28, 2011, Judge John P. Chupp postponed until May 19 a hearing to set the value of the bond the Iker-led diocese must post to appeal the court order awarding disputed property to the Episcopal Church diocese. The hearing will also address protections requested by the diocese to preserve assets. Details of the court action and a link to arguments presented by the plaintiffs can be found here.

Meanwhile, those who split from the Fort Worth diocese are facing a new problem. On April 25, the insurance company providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance to the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth sued the Iker-led diocese. Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company is seeking, among other things, a judgment that the breakaway diocese is not a beneficiary of its policy. Details can be found on the Episcopal diocese’s Web site.