Pittsburgh Update

News for Week Ending 9/6/2010

2010-09-06T23:58:00.002-04:00

Church leaders urge covenant study

To facilitate informed action on the proposed Anglican covenant by the 2012 General Convention, congregations are being urged to study the final covenant draft and forward their opinions to an Executive Council Task Force. The suggestion came in a September 3, 2010, letter from Episcopal Church leaders. More details are available from Episcopal News Service. Executive Council approved a study guide for the proposed covenant at its June meeting that can be downloaded here.

Jericho Road project wins orchard

Episcopal News Service reported September 2, 2010, that the Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative of New Orleans will be the recipient of a 50- by 125-foot orchard as a result of public voting on projects sponsored by Edy’s Fruit Bars and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. An earlier ENS story can be read here. The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth was a strong advocate for the Jericho Road initiative. A “thank you” from Jericho Road can be viewed on YouTube.

Bennison should have wisdom to resign—Bonnie Anderson

President of the House of Deputies Bonnie Anderson has said that the Rt. Rev. Charles Bennison, Bishop of Pennsylvania, should have the “wisdom and generosity of spirit to resign.” So reported Episcopal News Service in a September 2, 2010, story. Bennison was convicted of conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy, but his conviction was overturned on a technicality. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Anderson said that a review of the canons is in order.

Tennessee diocese clashes with Nashville church

Conservative Web site VirtueOnline reported September 1, 2010, on the conflict between the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee and St. Andrew’s Parish of Nashville, which claims to be part of the Anglican Diocese of Quincy. Despite a summary judgment against the parish determining that the property is to be used by The Episcopal Church, the parish has not relinquished its real estate. This past week, the Bishop of Tennessee presented the church’s priest for refusing to submit parochial reports (thereby denying that the parish is a part of the Diocese of Tennessee). Details are available on VirtueOnline here.

News for Week Ending 8/30/2010

2010-08-30T22:30:00.003-04:00

Conference of African bishops concludes

As we reported here last week, the second All African Bishops Conference (AABC), organized by the Council of African Provinces of Africa (CAPA), met in Entebbe, Uganda, August 23–29, 2010. Nearly 400 African bishops attended, as well as notable guests, including the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams; Archbishop John Chew, primate of South East Asia and Global South chairman; and Archbishop Robert Duncan, primate of the independent Anglican Church in North America.

Two public statements were issued at the end of the AABC, and they reflect a certain bifurcation of the conference agenda. The CAPA primates issued a communiqué lamenting the “alien and cultural arrogance which undermines the moral fiber of our societies” and attacking departures from the “standard teaching of the Anglican Communion” by The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Church of England. The primates declared that “it is obligatory of all Provinces to observe the agreed decisions and recommendations of the Windsor Report and the various communiqués of the past three Primates Meetings, especially Dar es Salaam in 2007.” (We have provided a link to the statement on Thinking Anglicans, as AABC Web site has not kept pace with conference developments.)

A separate and longer statement was issued over the signatures of the CAPA chairman and vice-chairman. It calls for the protection of “Anglican orthodoxy,” a “Biblical standard” of the family, and a stronger Anglican covenant. It does not, however, attack specific Anglican Communion churches. Much of the document is devoted to specifically African problems—inadequate medical care, food insecurity, abuse and slavery, poverty, climate change, and political concerns. Anglican Communion News Service reported on the statement here. Episcopal News Service’s wrap-up on AABC can be found here. Thinking Anglicans covered the conference extensively beginning here.

VirtueOnline has posted a story suggesting that African bishops are not of one mind regarding The Episcopal Church. In a story dated August 29, 2010, David Virtue quotes from a letter from two African Anglican Provinces—Central Africa and Southern Africa—to the effect that those provinces do not agree with attempts to marginalize The Episcopal Church. Whereas the letter does not condone actions of The Episcopal Church that have angered Global South bishops, it says that to abandon “relationships [with The Episcopal Church] would be tantamount to abandoning our call of the gospel to struggle with each other’s failure as we journey with Christ in the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation as we were passionately reminded and to live with our rich diversity.” The letter also rejects the idea of replacing The Episcopal Church in the Anglican Communion with the Anglican Church of North America.

San Joaquin sues another congregation

Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin has again filed suit against a former Episcopal congregation. Litigation was begun against former members of St. Paul’s, Bakersfield, California. The action seeks return of the property currently being used by what is being called St. Paul’s Anglican Parish. This is only the latest action by the Episcopal diocese. (See recent Pittsburgh Update story here.) Details can be read in the story from Episcopal News Service here.

Pittsburgh convention information announced

The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has posted information on its Web site about the upcoming annual convention. The event will be held at Trinity Cathedral on October 15 and 16, 2010. Information sessions for deputies and other interested parties are being held at various locations September 27, 29, and 30. A session dedicated to proposed changes to the constitution and canons will be held Wednesday, September 1, at St. Paul’s, Mt. Lebanon. Details and links to documents can be found on the diocesan Web site here.

News for Week Ending 8/22/2010

2010-08-23T23:58:00.002-04:00

CAPA meeting to convene in Uganda

The Council for Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) will be holding a meeting in Uganda August 23–29, 2010. The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams will preach at the service opening the Second All Africa Bishops Conference. Bishops from 400 African dioceses are slated to attend the Entebbe, Uganda, event. Additional details are available from Thinking Anglicans and Episcopal News Service.

Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury to meet during UK visit

Details are now available for the much anticipated visit of the Pope Benedict XVI to the U.K. next month. The Roman Catholic Pontiff arrives in Scotland for his four-day U.K. visit September 16, 2010. Benedict will participate in an ecumenical service in Westminster Abby with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams September 17. The two religious leaders will meet at Lambeth Palace earlier in the day. Relations between the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church have been tense because England is in the process of authorizing women to be bishops and because the Vatican has invited Anglican clergy to defect to the Roman Catholic Church. Additional details can be found in the story from Episcopal News Service here.

Bennison controversy continues

The setting aside of the judgment against Bishop of Pennsylvania Charles E. Bennison and the bishop’s return to his episcopal post continue to make news. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The Episcopal Church is getting unflattering publicity, such as this August 22 story in The Philadelphia Inquirer. Disappointment and frustration with the handling of the Bennison case by The Episcopal Church has also been expressed in a letter to the church from witnesses who participated in the Bennison trial. The letter calls for a removal of the statute of limitations on sexual abuse and the construing of the covering up of sexual abuse to be equally serious, as it allows abuse to continue. The latest Episcopal News Service Story on the Bennison situation can be read here.

New W. Kansas bishop to retain rector position

Episcopal News Service reported August 21, 2010, that the Rev. Michael Pierce Milliken, newly elected bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas, expects to retain his position of rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Hutchinson, Kansas. In the early years of The Episcopal Church, bishops commonly retained a rectorship as a way of financing the diocese, but the arrangement is unusual today. Milliken will need to receive consents to become bishop of the diocese. Western Kansas is a small diocese and has only been a diocese since 1973.

San Diego church on rebound after split

According to North Country Times, Holy Cross Episcopal Church of Carlsbad, California, is growing again after most of its parishioners left The Episcopal Church to form a church under the Bishop of Bolivia. The new priest in charge at the church in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego is the Rev. Laura Sheridan-Campbell, who recently earned a doctorate from Church Divinity School of The Pacific. You can read the story here.

Anglican school rejects girl of lesbian parents

A school in suburban Fort Worth, Texas, has refused to accept a female student because she is being raised by lesbian parents. St. Vincent’s School, formerly an Episcopal school, is now associated with the Anglican Church in North America, headed by deposed Pittsburgh bishop Robert Duncan. Details can be found here.

News for Week Ending 8/16/2010

2010-08-16T23:28:00.000-04:00

Controversy grows over ACC structural changes

The quiet transformation of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) from an unincorporated international body to an English charity is drawing increasing scrutiny. Not only is the ACC one of the so-called Instruments of Communion of the Anglican Communion, but it is the most representative of the four bodies and the only one that includes non-episcopal clergy and laypeople among its members. The former constitution of the ACC can be found here; the new constitution can be found here.

Questions were raised as early as last December about new “Articles of Association” of the ACC that Anglican leaders refused to release, saying they were not yet approved. Seemingly, however, they were already in use. Two recent stories in The Church of England Newspaper raise questions both about the adoption of the new constitution and about its actual content. (The articles are reproduced on the blog of their author, the Rev. George Conger. They can be found here and here.)

Attorney Mark McCall, who is associated with the Anglican Communion Institute, authored a helpful essay explaining the issues around the ACC’s governing document for The Living Church. The McCall piece summarizes a longer paper from the ACI.

In what appears to be an effort in damage control, Anglican Communion News service, on August 11, posted questions and answers about the ACC’s new constitution from the AAC’s legal advisor, the Rev. Canon John Rees.

Australia rules against deaconal/lay presidency

Perhaps surprisingly, not all Anglican controversies are about sex. The Diocese of Sydney in the Anglican Church of Australia has long advocated deaconal and lay presidency, that is, allowing deacons and laypersons to preside at the Eucharist. Anglican opinion worldwide is overwhelmingly against this idea, but the Diocese of Sydney has persisted. Episcopal News Service reported August 12, 2010, however, that the Appellate Tribunal of the Australian church has ruled that presiding at the Eucharist by deacons or laypersons is not allowed under current canons. The Appellate Tribunal did not consider theological issues.

Bennison return unpopular

The return of Bishop Charles E. Bennison to his position as Bishop of Pennsylvania has sparked protest and calls for his resignation. Bennison’s conviction on charges of conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy was overturned on a technicality, allowing him to resume his episcopal duties. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.)

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported August 11, 2010, that members of the Survivors’ Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) demonstrated August 10 against Bennison’s return at the office of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. (In the past, most of SNAP’s activities have been directed at clergy abuse in the Roman Catholic Church.)

The Rev. Timothy Safford, rector of Philadelphia’s Christ Church, wrote Bennison August 8 suggesting that he not resume his episcopal duties. In his letter, Safford wrote, “My strong belief is that your return will do more harm than good, create more anger and less reconciliation, and hinder, not advance, the Church’s mission in our diocese.” The Rev. W. Frank Allen, rector of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, Pa., made a similar plea to Bennison. Neither priest offered much hope that his advice would be taken.

Episcopal News Service and VirtueOnline have written about resistance to Bennison’s return. The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania issued a statement August 8 anticipating the bishop’s return and expressing appreciation for those who have served in his absence. On August 16, the day Bennison was to return to his duties in the diocese, the Standing Committee, in an open letter to the diocese, called for the Bishop to resign.

Union of Kansas dioceses suggested

According to VirtueOnline, the Rt. Rev. Dean E. Wolfe, diocesan bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, has written to the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas suggesting that the two dioceses unite. Western Kansas will be electing a bishop August 21, 2010. Both dioceses are small and experiencing financial difficulties.

The idea of combining the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh with the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania was raised last year before the diocesan convention. The convention passed a resolution encouraging the dioceses (as well as other nearby dioceses) to study ways of co-operating with one another.

Fort Worth diocese files amended petition

The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, according to its Web site, filed an amended petition in the District Court of Terrant County, Texas, August 13, 2010, in the diocese’s litigation “for declaratory relief against the Southern Cone officials” who claim to have taken the diocese out of The Episcopal Church. The court filing can be found here.

News for Week Ending 8/9/2010

2010-08-09T23:53:00.002-04:00

Covenant attacked by AAC

The conservative American Anglican Council has called for changes in the draft Anglican covenant. Whereas Modern Church recently asserted that the current draft abandons traditional Anglicanism for Puritanism—see Pittsburgh Update story here—the AAC has argued that the proposed covenant is not strong enough. The changes desired by the AAC, would, among other things, put more power in the hands of the primates, establish an explicit requirement of condemning sexual activity outside heterosexual marriage, and exile non-signing churches from the Anglican Communion. The AAC argument draws on a paper written by the Rev. Dr. Steven Noll, retired Vice Chancellor of Uganda Christian University and a former member of the faculty of Trinity School for Ministry.

Charles Bennison conviction overturned

In a surprise development, the conviction for conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy of Bishop Charles E. Bennison, erstwhile Bishop of Pennsylvania, was reversed on appeal by a Court of Review for the Trial of a Bishop. (See Pittsburgh Update story of Bennison’s appeal here.) The court decision turned on the interpretation of the statute of limitations. Bennison was accused of failing to report sexual improprieties of his brother more than three decades ago. Bennison is expected to resume his duties in the Diocese of Pennsylvania. Both Episcopal News Service and The Living Church covered the court decision, as did the The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Appeal by Anglican diocese advances

In an August 6, 2010, opinion, Judge Renée Cohn Jubelirer of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court rejected the effort by attorneys for the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh and The Episcopal Church to quash the appeal filed by the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh. The appellants were attempting to overturn the January order of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas that required them to transfer control of diocesan assets to the Episcopal diocese. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) At issue was whether the appeal by Archbishop Robert Duncan and fellow defendants was filed in a timely fashion. The Episcopal diocese argued that the decision that needed to be appealed was the one issued in October 2009. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Judge Jubelirer thought otherwise. The appeal will therefore be heard by Commonwealth Court. Judge Jubelirer’s opinion can be read here.

News for Week Ending 8/2/2010

2010-08-02T17:32:00.000-04:00

Standing Committee completes its work

The Standing Committee, representing the primates and the Anglican Consultative Council, completed its London meeting on July 27, 2010. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Anglican Communion News Service issued two additional stories about the closed-door meetings this past week. (They can be found here and here.)

On the final day of its meeting, the committee returned to the question of consequences of moratoria violations. Members agreed to a statement to the effect that the Standing Committee “regrets ongoing breaches of the three moratoria that continue to strain the life of the Anglican Communion; regrets the consequential resignations of members of the Standing Committee which diminish our common life and work on behalf of the ACC and the Primates’ Meeting; recognises that the ACC and the Primates’ Meeting are the appropriate bodies to consider these matters further.”

On July 27, Episcopal News Service ran a story titled “Standing Committee members celebrate commitment to transparency.” Indeed, ACNS has provided more information than usual about the Standing Committee meeting. By contrast, The Lead, citing the just-released minutes of the last Standing Committee meeting in December, pointed out the newly disclosed fact that, at that meeting, a resolution was proposed (and rejected) that would have asked The Episcopal Church to absent itself for a time from additional Anglican meetings. The Living Church also addressed the transparency issue in its story “Standing Committee Adjusts to Scrutiny.”

Modern Church attacks covenant

The UK-based Modern Church, formerly The Modern Churchpeople’s Union, has come out strongly against the proposed Anglican covenant. It has added a collection of pages to its Web site that argue that the covenant is un-Anglican and “will not create open, forward-looking, twenty-first century churches. (The pages can be accessed here.) Also, Modern Church’s general secretary, the Rev. Jonathan Clatworthy, has written an essay, “No covenant please, we’re Anglican” published by the Guardian.

CoE bishops pledge continued opposition to women bishop legislation

Thinking Anglicans reported August 1, 2010, that 15 Church of England bishops have written a letter expressing their continued opposition to the proposed conditions under which the church proposes to begin consecrating women bishops. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The letter, which was sent to sympathetic clergy, suggests how opponents of women bishops may react if special provisions are not made for them, but it does not suggest that all opponents will react the same way. More votes are required before women can become bishops in the Church of England, perhaps as early as 2014.

Post-Gazette: Episcopal leaders addressing sex abuse

In an August 2, 2010, story, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reviews efforts by The Episcopal Church to deal with clergy sexual abuse. The story appears as reports of clergy abuse in the Roman Catholic Church continue to appear and after abuse by the former bishop of the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Donald Davis, was revealed. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The story, by reporter Ann Rodgers, makes clear the conflicting imperatives experienced by interested parties in sex-abuse cases.

PEP schedules annual picnic

Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh has scheduled its annual picnic for Monday, August 16, 2010. PEP members and friends are invited. Details of the event, as well as a poster, are available here.

News for Week Ending 7/26/2010

2010-07-26T23:39:00.000-04:00

Standing Committee meeting in England

The Standing Committee, composed of members of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) and primates, is meeting in London from July 23, 2010, to July 27. Members of the Standing Committee include Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and newly consecrated Bishop of Connecticut Ian Douglas. Anglican Communion News Service has reported on the first two days of closed-door meetings here and here. (Subsequent ACNS reports should be found here.) Episcopal News Service reported on the meeting July 25 and noted that the Presiding Bishop preached at London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral. ENS ran a second story on the meeting July 26 here.

The name of the Committee—formerly the Joint Standing Committee of the Primates and Anglican Consultative Council—has been a source of confusion and concern. The draft Anglican covenant refers to it as the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion. According to ACNS, Committee members decided during their first day of meetings to call their body simply the Standing Committee.

Membership issues were also discussed on July 23, including the question of whether Bishop Douglas was indeed qualified to serve. The ACC Constitution and Bylaws have just been replaced by new Articles of Association, however, which have different requirements for membership. Bishop Douglas will continue as a member of the Committee.

On June 24, Dato’ Stanley Isaacs, from the Church of the Province of South East Asia proposed that The Episcopal Church be separated from the Anglican Communion. The proposal was rejected. According to ACNS, “the overwhelming opinion was that separation would inhibit dialogue on this and other issues among Communion Provinces, dioceses and individuals and would therefore be unhelpful.” The Standing Committee also concluded that the request by the primates to increase their representation on the Committee from five to eight should be considered by the full ACC.

San Diego bishop authorizes same-sex blessings

The Rt. Rev. James Mathes, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, has authorized the blessing of same-sex unions. San Diego’s St. Paul’s Cathedral has announced that it will treat same-sex couples in a manner similar to how heterosexual couples are treated. More information is available on the cathedral’s blog, All Our Voices, here and here. The Living Church has provided helpful background to this story.

News for Week Ending 7/19/2010

2010-07-19T22:15:00.001-04:00

Argentina approves gay marriage

On July 15, 2010, the National Congress of Argentina passed a law authorizing same-sex marriage in Argentina, despite strong opposition from the Roman Catholic Church. Roman Catholicism is the official religion of Argentina. With this legislative action, Argentina becomes the tenth nation to legalize same-sex marriage and the first in Latin America. The story has been reported by Time.

Women bishop measure advances in England amid great anxieties

The Church of England’s General Synod, as reported here last week, approved a measure to allow for women bishops that will soon be in the hands of the church’s dioceses. Those opposed to women bishops failed to achieve the kind of guarantees of isolation from women bishops they sought. The only concession they have won is a code of practice regarding dissenters that has yet to be written. It is expected that final approval by the General Synod will occur in about 18 months.

Several news outlets have summarized the current state of affairs in the Church of England. Among the contributors of notable stories are Ecumenical News International and Church Times. The latter explains the steps needed for women bishops to become a reality in England. Additional commentary can be found here and elsewhere on Thinking Anglicans.

Church gets $404,000 grant for same-sex liturgies

According to The Living Church, the Arcus Foundation of Kalamazoo, Michigan, has given a $404,000 grant to the Church Divinity School of the Pacific to assist the church’s Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music in its General-Convention-mandated task of gathering and developing liturgies for same-sex blessings. Since the General Convention has provided a mere $25,000 for the project, the Arcus grant is very welcome. Additional details can be found in the story in The Living Church.

Episcopal Church handed more setbacks in Fort Worth

The breakaway Fort Worth diocese, still insisting that it is the “Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth,” continues to score minor legal victories. (See most recent Pittsburgh Update story here.) Recent action before a Hood County court is described in a press release from the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) diocese. (In reading the press release, understand that the “Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and the Corporation of the Diocese” refers to the ACNA diocese.)

At issue in this case is the proper beneficiary of a bequest to a parish of the diocese, one whose congregation has left The Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church is arguing, unsuccessfully, so far, that the disposition of the bequest should depend on who legitimately represents St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church of Fort Worth. No decision has yet been made in the case. Details can be read in the press release.

News for Week Ending 7/12/2010

2010-07-12T23:54:00.001-04:00

CoE General Synod rejects archbishops’ plan

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York were handed an embarrassing defeat at the hand of the Church of England’s General Synod on July 10, 2010. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The plan, put forward by Rowan Williams and John Sentamu at the eleventh hour before the General Synod convened, would have given women bishops less power than male bishops. It was intended to appease those opposed to women bishops on theological grounds. The archbishops’ amendment needed the approval of the three houses of the General Synod. Bishops voted 25–15 in favor of the plan. Laypeople voted for it 106–86, with 4 abstentions. Clergy voted against the measure, however, 90–85, with 5 abstentions. Forty percent of English clergy are now women. There are still many procedural hurdles that must be negotiated before there can be women English bishops.

Episcopal News Service has provided a good summary of what is happening in the General Synod, which concludes its work July 13, 2010. The Daily Telegraph has attempted to capture the state of the Church of England in its story “A divided church faces its darkest hour.” A helpful status report has also been provided by the Guardian. Other news and commentary can be found on Thinking Anglicans.

Jeffrey John again denied episcopal appointment

For the second time, Church of England priest Jeffrey John has failed in his bid to become a bishop. John, a talented, well-respected priest, has a male partner but is said to be celibate. The then new Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, convinced John to step down after his having been selected as Bishop of Reading in 2003. In the recent instance, John was on the short list to become Bishop of Southwark, which is said to be the most liberal diocese of the Church of England. According to the Daily Telegraph, John was rejected because it was feared “that his consecration would have provoked a split in the Church.” Although deliberations regarding episcopal appointments in the Church of England are supposed to be confidential, John’s being considered was leaked to the press, presumably by opponents of his appointment. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, a member of the Crown Nominations Commission that was selecting a bishop for Southwark, is said to have been furious at the pressure created by the leak to the press.

First female Latin American bishop dies

The Rt. Rev. Nerva Cot Aguilera, 71, died suddenly July 10, 2010. Bishop Aguilera was the retired suffragan bishop of the Episcopal Church of Cuba. She became the first female Anglican bishop in Latin America when she was consecrated in June 2007. The Episcopal News Service story on Aguilera’s death can be found here.

Presbyterians move forward on gay clergy

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has voted to accept homosexual clergy, but it has not moved forward on gay marriage. The proposal now goes before the church’s presbyteries, which have to approve the measure before it becomes effective. The presbyteries have rejected similar measures in the past. Details are available from Beliefnet and Crosswalk.

Defense of Marriage Act partly declared unconstitutional

A federal judge in Boston declared parts of the federal Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional July 8, 2010. The 1996 law prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages. This, according to U.S. District Judge Joseph Taur, prevents the government from giving benefits to gay couples that are given to heterosexual couples in Massachusetts, a state in which gay marriages are legal. This violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. Moreover, he ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act infringes on the right of states to define marriage. Additional details are available in a story from the Los Angeles Times.

Georgia court rules for Episcopal Church

According to a July 9, 2010, story from Episcopal News Service, the Georgia Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court decision awarding control of the property of Savannah’s Christ Church to the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia and the Episcopal Church. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The Episcopal Church and the Georgia diocese filed suit to regain control of Christ Church after the congregation voted in September 2007 to align with the Anglican Church of the Province of Uganda. It is unclear whether the defendants will appeal the ruling. (As of this writing, “Christ Church Savannah,” associated with the Anglican Church in North America, has no statement about the recent court decision on its Web site.) A statement from the Episcopal parish is available here. A statement from the rector, the Rev. Michael White, can be read here.

Virginia churches ask state Supreme Court to reconsider ruling

VirtueOnline posted a June 10, 2010, press release from the Anglican District of Virginia (ADV, part of CANA, the Convocation of Anglicans in North America) and a related AP story indicating that the nine breakaway congregations in litigation with The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia have petitioned the Virginia Supreme Court to reconsider its decision of June 10, 2010. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The court ruled that the state statute on which a lower court decision was based was misapplied. The lower court had awarded control of parish property to the ADV parishes. The defendants’ application for rehearing argues that the trial court was correct in its application of Virginia law.

San Joaquin targets Visalia property

The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin has filed another lawsuit seeking control of parish property currently controlled by former members of the diocese who are now members of the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin. Papers were filed July 6, 2010, with the Superior Court of California in Tulare County seeking the assets of what is now being called St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Episcopal News Service has details here.

NW Pa. bishop offers apology, asks victims to come forward

Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania Sean Rowe, in a letter read in all churches of his diocese July 11, 2010, apologized for the sexual abuse of girls by a former bishop of the diocese, Donald Davis. Davis, now deceased, was diocesan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania from 1974 to 1991. Rowe said that he is aware of “four credible allegations of sexual abuse” by Bishop Davis. He invited other victims to come forward to seek healing and reconciliation.

According to Episcopal News Service, Presiding Bishop Edmund Browning, who had become aware of the abuse by Bishop Davis, quietly asked Davis to resign from the House of Bishops in 1994, when Davis was in retirement.

News for Week Ending 7/5/2010

2010-07-05T23:56:00.001-04:00

Mexico adopts Anglican covenant

Anglican Communion News Service reported June 30, 2010, that the Anglican Church of Mexico’s General Synod, meeting June 11–12, 2010, has become the first church in the Anglican Communion formally to adopt the Anglican covenant.

New members named to Standing Committee

Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS) has reported that two new members will take their place on the Standing Committee (formerly the Joint Standing Committee of the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates) when it meets July 23–27, 2010. The ACNS story also confirmed that Uganda’s Archbishop Henry Orombi and his alternate, Archbishop Justice Akrofi of West Africa, have resigned from the Standing Committee. A story from Episcopal News Service provides clarification of the changing face of the Standing Committee. (See earlier Pittsburgh Update story here.)

Task force group leaders announced for same-sex blessing work

The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music of The Episcopal Church announced the leaders of task forces charged with assembling resources in support of same-sex blessings, as authorized by the 2009 General Convention’s Resolution C056. Chairs of the Liturgical Resources Task Group, Pastoral/Resources Task Group, and Theological Resources Task Group are named and their backgrounds given in this June 28, 2010, story from Episcopal News Service.

News for Week Ending 6/28/2010

2010-06-28T18:23:00.005-04:00

Standing Committee membership in flux

George Conger, in The Church of England Newspaper (not an official organ of the Church of England) reported June 25, 2010, that another member of the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion (as the former Joint Standing Committee of the ACC and Primates Meeting is now being called) has resigned. According to Conger, Bishop Azad Marshall of Iran has resigned his membership.

In the same article, Conger suggests that the position of Bishop of Connecticut Ian Douglas on the Standing Committee is in doubt. Douglas had been elected to the Standing Committee when he was a priest representative of The Episcopal Church on the Anglican Consultative Council. He is now a bishop and has been elected as such to the Anglican Consultative Council. The Anglican Communion Institute has argued not only that Douglas cannot be on the Standing Committee but that he cannot now even be on the Anglican Consultative Council. Its position on the matter can be found here.

Women bishops controversy heats up as General Synod approaches

As we reported last week—see Pittsburgh Update story here—the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have proposed a change in how women bishops will be introduced into the Church of England. This has been done on the eve of the General Synod meeting that will be called upon to approve an implementation plan. Church Times has published a story that provides a reasonably clear description of the archbishops’ proposal, given that the final wording has not yet been released.

A group representing Anglo-Catholic clergy—not all Anglo-Catholic clergy are aligned with or in sympathy with this group—has released a statement supportive of the new proposal. On the other hand, a letter having the backing of Watch, a group lobbying on behalf of female clergy, roundly criticized the plan.

CoE bishops endorse covenant

Thinking Anglicans reported June 26, 2010, that the House of Bishops of the Church of England agreed in its May meeting “to commend [the draft Anglican covenant] for adoption by the Church of England.” Details are available here.

More on ‘Mitregate’

Additional information and commentary is now available on “Mitregate,” the controversy over the dress of Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori for her visit to London’s Southwark Cathedral. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Church Times offers perspective on the affair in its story of June 25, 2010. Two days earlier, The Lead published a letter from Lambeth Palace to an American corresponding, explaining the incident from the Archbishop of Canterbury’s point of view.

The Presiding Bishop is now traveling in New Zealand and Australia (see next story). According to Anglican Taonga, while in New Zealand, Bishop John Gray spoke to Jefferts Schori about building a cathedral. “It clearly won’t be as big, say, as Southwark Cathedral in London,” he said. “But in my cathedral, you can wear your mitre.”

Presiding Bishop continues world tour

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori continues her world travels by visiting New Zealand and Australia. Her two-week sojourn in the Southern Hemisphere is described in an Episcopal News Service report. According to ENS, the trip is “all about building relationships.” The New Zealand leg of the trip is described here. The Presiding Bishop preached a sermon on freedom June 27, 2010. Her Sunday visits to New Zealand churches are recounted here.

“Orthodox Anglican” reporter David Virtue wrote about the Presiding Bishop’s travels July 14. He described her as “traveling the globe shoring up her base of support among liberal Anglican provinces for what many believe is a back-up plan to exit the communion should the Archbishop of Canterbury take the logical step of not inviting her to the next meeting of the Anglican Primates.”

Follow-up: More information about Executive Council/Kearon dialogue

We reported on the meeting of Executive Council last week. Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Consultative Council, attended the meeting and was asked questions about his decision to dismiss certain Episcopalians from service on ecumenical Anglican bodies. Katie Sherrod, a member of the Council, has posted a detailed report of the dialogue with Kearon on her blog. The Living Church also published an account of the encounter.

Congregation to return to San Diego church

St. Anne’s, Oceanside, returns to service as an Episcopal church in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego on July 4, 2010. The church is one of several in the diocese whose congregations voted to disaffiliate from The Episcopal Church, taking parish property with them. A San Diego judge ruled in November that the Oceanside property is properly held by the Episcopal diocese. All disputed properties have now been returned to the San Diego diocese. Bishop James Mathes has invited the entire diocese to the celebration at St. Anne’s next Sunday. He will preside at the service, which will be followed by a picnic. More information is available from Examiner.com and Episcopal News Service.

Episcopal diocese handed setback in Fort Worth case

According to a press release from the breakaway Fort Worth diocese led by Bishop Jack Iker, the Texas Second Court of Appeals ruled June 25, 2010, that attorneys for the Episcopal Church diocese and for The Episcopal Church itself cannot represent “The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth” and its related Corporation. Arguments were made before the appellate court April 27. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The appellate court was troubled by a corporation seemingly suing itself. The court declared that both sides agreed “that there is only one Corporation and one Fort Worth Diocese.” According to the press release, the court “declined to settle the question of ‘identity.’” Episcopal Church supporters are concerned that the decision will prejudice the ongoing litigation. The full decision can be found here.

Largest Episcopal parish ‘affirms’ covenant

The Living Church reported June 23, 2010, that the largest parish of The Episcopal Church, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church of Houston, Texas, has “affirmed” the proposed Anglican covenant. The action came in the form of a unanimous vote of the vestry. Only provinces (national and regional churches) of the Anglican Communion have the power to adopt the covenant, so the vote is only symbolic. The rector of St. Martin’s, the Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr., is a member of the advisory committee of Communion Partners.

News for Week Ending 6/21/2010

2010-06-21T23:52:00.006-04:00

Anglican world atwitter over ‘Mitregate’

As we reported last week, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori preached in London’s Southwark Cathedral. According to Episcopal News Service, Jefferts Schori was pressured by Lambeth not to wear her mitre in the cathedral service. Instead, she carried it. (The Guardian briefly reported on the flap earlier. Ruth Gledhill of the Times provides an interesting perspective here.) Also, The Episcopal Church’s Presiding Bishop was asked “to provide evidence of her ordination to each order of ministry.” Jefferts Schori called the requirements “nonsense.” “It is bizarre;” she said, “it is beyond bizarre.”

The incident has occasioned considerable comment in the Anglican blogosphere, little of which has been sympathetic to the Archbishop of Canterbury. (See a sampling at Thinking Anglicans.) The incident might have been dismissed as trivial and silly in another context, but it comes after the dueling Pentecost letters from the head of the Church of England (CoE) and of The Episcopal Church—see Pittsburgh Update story here—and just before the General Synod meeting of the CoE at which action is to be taken on the plan to allow for women bishops. That meeting is showing signs of being very contentious. (See next story) Of course, Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori is unique as a woman Anglican primate.

CoE General Synod to act on women bishops

The Church of England’s (GoE) General Synod meets next month from July 9 to July 13, 2010. (The agenda and background papers are available here.) The agenda is dominated by the topic “Women in the Episcopate,” the question of how the CoE will provide for women bishops.

Although it had seemed as though the terms under which women would exercise episcopal authority in England had more or less been settled in favor of making women bishops the equals of male bishops—see Pittsburgh Update story here—a late-breaking development threatens to turn the meeting into a donnybrook. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are proposing an amendment to get around the fact that Anglo-Catholics that oppose ordained women not only do not want to be under the jurisdiction of a woman bishop but also want to avoid being under the jurisdiction of a male bishop designated by a female bishop. This story is developing as this is being written. Details are available from The Lead and from the Times. Neither side seems happy with the archbishops’ proposal. Episcopal News Service also covered this story.

TEC Executive Council meets; quizzes Kearon

The Executive Council of the Episcopal Church met outside of Baltimore June 16–18, 2010. Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Consultative Council who had recently carried out the Archbishop of Canterbury’s threat to remove Episcopalians from Anglican bodies—see Pittsburgh Update story here—was invited to the meeting and was grilled by Council members. According to Episcopal News Service, Kearon asserted that The Episcopal Church “should have expected consequences” from the consecration of lesbian Mary Glasspool. The Council was clearly not pleased by what it heard. Council member Bruce Garner said that he had “never witnessed so much obfuscation in such a short period of time” in his entire life.

Additional information on the Executive Council meeting can be found here and here.

APLM says covenant will produce ‘hierarchically-centralized Communion’

The Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission (APLM) issued a statement June 13, 2010, asserting that recent developments have shown that the proposed Anglican covenant will lead to a ‘hierarchically-centralized Communion.” APLM describes itself as a group of North American Anglicans working for liturgical renewal in The Episcopal Church and Anglican Church of Canada. The APLM statement can be read here. The Living Church covered the story here.

Moravians establish full communion with Episcopal Church

Episcopal News Service reported June 18, 2010, that the Northern Province of the Moravian Church has voted for full communion with The Episcopal Church. The 2009 General Convention approved an agreement establishing full communion with the Northern and Southern Province of the Moravian Church. The Southern Province will vote on the agreement in September.

News for Week Ending 6/14/2010

2010-06-14T19:09:00.000-04:00

Canadian Synod defers decisive action

The Anglican Church of Canada’s General Synod finished its triennial meeting June 11, 2010. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The Synod failed to take definitive action either on the draft Anglican covenant or on same-sex blessings.

According to Episcopal News Service, the Synod adopted a resolution asking the Council of General Synod (roughly, the analogue of The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council) to recommend to the 2013 General Synod what action should be taken on the covenant.

Episcopal News Service also reported that the Synod adopted a report on same-sex blessings that admits that there are differences on the issue and that some dioceses are allowing blessings. The General Synod neither provided for local option on the matter nor approved or disapproved same-sex blessings. The actual resolution and report can be read here.

A summary of the Canadian General Synod can be found here.

Presiding Bishop travels abroad

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has been doing a good deal of traveling. She addressed the Canadian General Synod June 8, 2010, saying that our church is “deeply grateful for our friends north of the border.” The next day, Jefferts Schori delivered one of two keynote addresses at an English missionary conference in Swanwick, England. (See Episcopal News Service story here, which includes a link to video of the Presiding Bishop’s talk.) On June 11, she addressed the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Her talk, available as an audio recording here, includes a history lesson on the early years of The Episcopal Church and a summary of what the church is doing now. On June 13, the Presiding Bishop preached at London’s Southwark Cathedral.

Canterbury letter draws responses

The Pentecost letter from Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and the subsequent actions to remove Episcopalians from various Anglican bodies—see Pittsburgh Update story here—have drawn a number of responses. On June 8, 2010, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori called the actions “unfortunate” and said that they misrepresent the Anglican Communion. Her remarks, made at a press conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, were reported by Episcopal News Service. Church Times also ran a story about the unhappiness of the primates of both The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada over the Anglican Communion move.

Inclusive Church wrote letters both to the Presiding Bishop and to the Archbishop of Canterbury deploring the actions against The Episcopal Church. Support for the American and Canadian churches was also expressed by the General Secretary of Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil. Thinking Anglicans also has links to additional commentary and reports here and here.

Australia seeing greater opposition to women clergy

Melbourne’s The Age reported June 10, 2010, that there is increasing pressure from Evangelicals to discourage leadership of women in the church. This is a surprising development in the Diocese of Melbourne, which was in the forefront of the drive for women’s ordination in the Anglican Church of Australia.

Controversy over the place of women in the church has been much in the news of late. In its General Synod next month, the Church of England will try to move forward with allowing women bishops, despite strong minority opposition. (See Pittsburgh Update story here. Late developments can be read on Thinking Anglicans here and here.) Also, the Anglican Church in North America continues to deal with the issue of women’s ordination, having seen its first defections over that issue. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.)

Gay marriage continues to make progress in Europe

Reuters reported June 11, 2010, that the Iceland Parliament unanimously passed a law allowing for same-sex marriage in the country. Iceland, which has a reputation for tolerance, also has an openly gay prime minister.

Virginia Supreme Court rules for Va. diocese

The long-running property dispute between the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and nine breakaway congregations that are now part of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), took an interesting turn June 10, 2010, when the Supreme Court of Virginia overturned the decision of the lower court that had granted parish property to the CANA parishes. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The court ruled that the unique Virginia statute on which earlier rulings depended was not applicable to the case. The Court did not, however, agree with all the arguments made by the Episcopalians. Ownership of parish property remains in dispute, as the case is sent back to the lower court. The CANA parishes have been deprived of one of their strongest theories in the case, however, and future litigation will invoke arguments made in similar cases in other states.

Episcopal News Service reported on the legal development in a story containing a link to the Supreme Court opinion. A statement from the diocese is here (other materials related to the litigation are here). A statement from CANA can be found here. The Washington Post also has a story on the Virginia development.

ACNA facing challenges

According to Religion News Service (RNS), the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) must raise $500,000 in six months to meet its budget. It also faces continuing debates over the ordination of women. The RNS story reported on the ACNA meeting in Amesbury, Massachusetts, approximately a year following the formation of ACNA. Archbishop Robert Duncan’s state of the church address delivered in Amesbury can be viewed at Anglican TV.

News for Week Ending 6/7/2010

2010-06-07T23:51:00.002-04:00

Canadian General Synod meeting

The triennial General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada is meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 3–11, 2010. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Information about the Synod and daily summaries are being provided by the church here. Links to news reports and other information are available from Thinking Anglicans. Anglican Journal is also providing coverage.

The Canadian primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, covered a variety of topics in his introductory address to the General Synod. Thinking Anglicans links to the full address and excerpts a section relevant to Anglican Communion disputes here. Episcopal News Service reported on the address here.

Scotland Synod to meet

The Scottish Episcopal Church will hold its annual General Synod June 10–12, 2010. Coverage will be available on the church’s Web site. The agenda and papers for the Synod are available here. The agenda includes a resolution that would ask the Faith and Order Board to propose to the 2011 General Synod a process for considering the proposed Anglican covenant.

An interesting audio interview with the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church is available here.

CoE to allow divorced bishops

The Telegraph reported June 6, 2010, that the Church of England will allow divorced persons for the first time to become bishops. Under current rules, even a priest who is the second husband of his wife cannot become a bishop. The policy change was agreed to by the House of Bishops in May, the Telegraph said. Opposition by traditionalist groups to new policy is strong. The Rev. Geoffrey Kirk, a frequent spokesman for the Anglo-Catholic wing of the church, said, “Promoting divorced bishops is a far more serious matter than homosexual bishops because it is undermining one of the fundamental teachings of scripture.”

Communion tensions increase

In response to the recent Pentecost letter from Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams—see Pittsburgh Update story here—Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori issued her own letter to The Episcopal Church. Although polite, it is difficult not to see the letter as defiant. Comment on the letter has been extensive. Reuters covered the story here. (See also Thinking Anglican posts here and here.)

While many Episcopalians were cheering the June 2, 2010, missive from their primate, news came from Anglican Communion News Service June 7 that the sanctions “proposed” by the archbishop had, in fact been implemented unilaterally. Episcopal News Service reported later in the day what Episcopalians had been dismissed or demoted by Rowan Williams. As this is being written, analyses are only just beginning to appear. No doubt, Thinking Anglicans will do its usually fine job of collecting links to news stories and commentary on this latest development.

Portugal sees first gay marriage

Associated Press reported that the first gay marriage of a lesbian couple took place June 7, 2010, under a new Portuguese law. The event is notable, as Portugal has a predominately Roman Catholic population.

News for Week Ending 5/31/2010

2010-05-31T22:21:00.000-04:00

N.T. Wright argues against local decision-making

The Rt. Rev. N.T. Wright, Bishop of Durham, delivered his final address to his diocesan synod May 21, 2010, before returning to an academic career. The Living Church reported on Wright’s remarks May 26. The controversial address was largely about adiaphora, issues not essential to the faith on which individual churches may differ. Wright spoke of the issue of women bishops—he is for the idea and believes Anglicans have agreed that this is a matter of adiaphora—and sexual relations outside of marriage—something Anglicans have not declared adiaphora. More significantly, Wright argued that what is and is not adiaphora is not adiaphora, i.e., churches like The Episcopal Church cannot, by themselves, decide that it is proper to consecrate as bishops persons in same-sex relationships.

Archbishop of Canterbury proposes sanctions

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams issued a Pentecost letter to the Anglican Communion on May 28, 2010. The archbishop proposed that while the current “tensions remain unresolved” within the Anglican Communion, members from provinces that have violated the moratoria first proposed in the Windsor Report—moratoria on the blessing of same-sex unions, on consecrating partnered homosexual bishops, and on border crossings by bishops—not participate either in ecumenical discussions involving the Communion or in the work of the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order. Clearly, the archbishop has The Episcopal Church in mind—his letter speaks of the recent consecration of Mary Glasspool—but his wording (“provinces that have formally [emphasis in original], through their Synod or House of Bishops, adopted policies that breach any of the moratoria”) may or may not apply to provinces such as Nigeria, Uganda, or the Southern Cone. Episcopal News Service covered the story here. The press release from Lambeth Palace, which is unusually heavy on analysis, is available here. Thinking Anglicans has made several posts about Williams’ letter and the reaction to it here, here, and here.

Nigerian primate advocates withdrawal from U.N.

Arguing that U.N. bodies and nongovernmental organizations are promoting homosexuality, Church of Nigeria (Anglican) primate, the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, has called for Nigeria to pull out of the United Nations. “Let us stand firm and refuse to be bought over by the West,” he said in remarks delivered in Lagos May 27, 2010. The Church of Nigeria has been one of the severest critics of The Episcopal Church for its consecration of partnered homosexual bishops and has shown sympathy for persecution of LGBT citizens of Nigeria. The Sunday Trust of Lagos reported the story May 30.

West Texas church splitting

VirtueOnline reported May 23, 2010, that Christ Episcopal Church of San Antonio, Texas, is in the process of splitting. Its rector, the Rev. Chuck Collins, announced that the service of May 30 would be his last. He is leaving The Episcopal Church “because of a crisis of conscience.” The Episcopal Church, he told his congregation in a May 19 letter, “has moved further and further away from the Gospel to which I committed my life and I have concluded that there is no future for me in this spiritual environment.” David Virtue reports that most of the congregation will remain in The Episcopal Church and will retain the parish property. Additional information about events in the church can be found on its Web site here. Christ Episcopal Church is in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, whose bishop is the Rt. Rev. Gary R. Lillibridge.

News for Week Ending 5/24/2010

2010-05-24T23:29:00.001-04:00

Observer chides CoE over gay persecution

London’s newspaper The Observer published an editorial on May 23, 2010, complaining that Anglican leaders in England have failed to speak out against homophobic statements made by some Anglican clergy in Africa. In particular, the editorial refers to a statement made by Nigerian bishop Isaac Orama. The editorial concludes:

The Anglican hierarchy in Britain has avoided speaking out too frankly on this matter to avoid a schism, but the church’s quiet diplomacy has done nothing to help the victims of homophobic repression. Increasingly, it looks like complicity.

The Lead, on the other hand, called the editorial too mild.

ACNA shows signs of stress

A major component of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) has been the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA) an operation under the sponsorship of the Church of the Province of Rwanda. The AMiA, a founding member of ACNA, has been a jurisdiction of ACNA, but, according to a special report on the AMiA Web site, it is about to become a Missionary Partner, a status that ties the AMiA less closely to ACNA. According to the report, the “dual citizenship” of the AMiA had become “untenable.” A May 11, 2010, news analysis piece by conservative journalist David Virtue suggests that the status change is at least in part the result of conflicts over women’s ordination. Links to additional material are available at Thinking Anglicans.

News for Week Ending 5/17/2010

2010-05-17T15:10:00.001-04:00

Church gets first lesbian bishop

Mary Douglas Glasspool became The Episcopal Church’s first lesbian bishop on May 15, 2010. She was consecrated a suffragan bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, along with Diane Jardine Bruce. The ceremony took place in the Long Beach Arena before a congregation of 3,000, which included Becki Sander, Glasspool’s partner of 19 years. A minor protest interrupted the beginning of the service, which otherwise proceeded as planned. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori was chief consecrator for the two new bishops. Details of the event can be found in stories from Episcopal News Service and the Los Angeles Times.

Reaction to Saturday’s consecrations has been surprisingly muted so far. The Times, in its story on the Los Angeles consecrations, notes that Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams had earlier called the impending consecration of Glasspool “regretable” and suggested there would be consequences for The Episcopal Church. Archbishop Williams has not issued a statement following Glasspool’s consecration, however, whereas he has often been quick to respond to events in The Episcopal Church in the past. Archbishop Alan Harper of the Church of Ireland had similarly expressed “deep regret” after the announcement that Glasspool had received the necessary consents to become a bishop. (See Episcopal News Service story here.)

Anglican Mainstream did issue a statement May 15 in response to the Glasspool consecration signed by Dr. Philip Giddings and Canon Dr. Chris Sugden. Giddings and Sugden assert that The Episcopal Church should be excluded from representative bodies of the Anglican Communion, that a way should be found for dissenters in The Episcopal Church to maintain their connection to the Communion, and that the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) should be recognized as a member of the Anglican Communion instead of The Episcopal Church.

Ironically, the ordination of another woman on May 15 is causing distress in the traditionalist camp. According to VirtueOnline, the Rev. Susan Freeman, scheduled to be ordained a priest on the same day Glasspool was to be made a bishop, has become a controversial figure. The ordination was to be performed by the Rt. Rev. John A. M. Guernsey, Bishop of the Diocese of the Holy Spirit (Uganda) and a member of ACNA. In his editorial, “Ordination of Two Women Challenges Anglican/Episcopal Jurisdictions,” David Virtue briefly mentions Glasspool but writes at length of the contentiousness of women’s ordination in ACNA.

Displaced Episcopalians come together in Fort Worth

As happened in some parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, Episcopalians in parishes that sought “realignment” in the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth in some cases dispersed to other churches following the schism in their diocese. On May 11, 2010, Episcopal News Service reported on parishioners from one realigned parish that have finally reunited as a congregation. They are now meeting Sunday evenings at Trinity Episcopal Church. The tradition-bound congregation is being allowed by the Rt. Rev. C. Wallis Ohl, the provisional bishop, to use the 1928 prayer book. The story can be read here.

News for Week Ending 5/10/2010

2010-05-10T23:50:00.003-04:00

New Zealand General Synod considers covenant

The General Synod of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia debated the proposed Anglican covenant May 10, 2010. The first three sections of the covenant have received approval in principal, but Section 4 has proven controversial. The church is being asked to study the covenant over the next two years, after which the General Synod will decide whether to adopt it. Details can be read here. Dr. Tony Fitchett, a member of the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion and a New Zealander, suggested accepting Sections 1–3 and rejecting Section 4, which he calls “punitive and unAnglican.”

CoE publishes draft legislation for women bishops

A drafting committee of the Church of England has reported on a proposal to provide for women bishops in the church. The proposal will be considered at the July meeting of the church’s General Synod. Even if the proposal meets with the approval of the Synod, women bishops could not become a reality in the Church of England until at least 2014. The proposed has generally be favorably received by supporters of women bishops, as it does not make women second-class bishops. Those unalterably opposed to the innovation generally see the report as inadequate. Episcopal News Service reported the story here. Links to various reactions to the committee report are available at Thinking Anglicans.

Breakaway L.A. church again appeals to California high court

The parish property case involving the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and the breakaway congregation of St. James’ Episcopal Church, Newport Beach, is beginning to seem interminable. (See earlier Pittsburgh Update stories here and here.) The church now calling itself St. James’ Anglican Church has made a third appeal to the California Supreme Court. Details were reported by Episcopal News Service on May 10, 2010.

Glasspool to be consecrated May 15

As Pittsburgh Update reported here, the Rev. Canon Mary D. Glasspool is scheduled to be consecrated a suffragan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles on Saturday, May 15, 2010. She will become only the second openly gay partnered bishop in the Anglican Communion. The consecration may occasion more criticism of The Episcopal Church for its inclusive policies.

Bennison makes final judicial appeal

As we reported earlier—see Pittsburgh Update story here—the Rt. Rev. Charles E. Bennison, Jr., the sometime Bishop of Pennsylvania who was found to have engaged in conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy for not reporting sexual improprieties of his brother, made his last judicial appeal to a church court May 4, 2010. The proceedings before the Court of Review for the Trial of a Bishop were held in Wilmington, Delaware, and lasted three hours. Bennison is under sentence of deposition. If the appeal to the Court of Review is unsuccessful, Bennison could bring his case to the House of Bishops. Details are provided in a story from The Living Church.

Bishop Price featured at PEP meeting

Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh (PEP) is sponsoring a program on Monday, May 17, 2010, at Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill. Dubbed “A Conversation with Bishop Price,” the event will provide an opportunity for Pittsburgh Episcopalians to meet and talk to the provisional bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, the Rt. Rev. Kenneth Price, Jr. The event begins at 7:30 PM. Church of the Redeemer is located at 5700 Forbes Avenue, next to St. Edmond’s Academy.

News for Week Ending 5/3/2010

2010-05-03T18:12:00.001-04:00

New mechanism created for listening process

Anglican Communion News Service announced the initiation of the Continuing Indaba process April 30, 2010. Additional information is given in an Episcopal News Service story about the new Web site created for discussion within the Communion. The Continuing Indaba project is sponsored by the Archbishop of Canterbury and endorsed by the Anglican Consultative Council. Indaba is the name given to the African technique of consultation used by bishops at the most recent Lambeth Conference.

According to the ENS story, “Continuing Indaba grows out of requests to listen to gay and lesbian Christians that have been made intermittently since Anglican Communion bishops at the 1978 Lambeth Conference recognized ‘the need for pastoral concern for those who are homosexual’ and encouraged ‘dialogue with them.’” Initial funding for the project has been provided by an Episcopal priest, the Rev. Marta Weeks.

Anglo-Catholics consult with Vatican

Anglo-Catholic bishops of the Church of England have conferred with representatives of the Pope concerning their possible conversion to the Roman Catholic Church. The supposedly secret meeting was reported by the Telegraph.

The Church of England faces a potential crisis as it moves toward accepting conditions under which women priests can become bishops. The Times reported that the proposal that will be put before the July meeting of the General Synod will be announced May 7, 2010. According to The Times, no statutory provision is to be made for opponents of women bishops, but a voluntary code of conduct is intended to appease Anglo-Catholics. If suggested provisions are accepted by the General Synod, some Anglo-Catholic clergy may simply convert to Roman Catholicism. Others may accept the Pope’s offer of joining the Roman Catholic Church while preserving limited Anglican traditions. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Large defections from the Church of England seem unlikely, however, and the leaking of information about the Vatican meeting may have been intended to influence the General Synod debate.

Canadian General Synod to meet next month

The main governing body of the Anglican Church of Canada will meet next month in Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 3–11. Anglican Journal ran a story summarizing the issues before the 2010 General Synod, including the blessing of same-sex unions and the adoption of the proposed Anglican covenant. The May issue of the Anglican Journal also carried an opinion piece suggesting that, given the church’s moving ahead with same-sex blessings, the Anglican Church of Canada cannot, in good conscience, sign on to the covenant.

Bishops come and go

Two bishops who have been critical of The Episcopal Church are experiencing professional changes.

The Church of England’s Bishop of Durham, N.T. Wright, has announced that he will step down from his current post to return to an academic position at Scotland’s University of St. Andrews. New Testament scholar Wright is a prolific author and served on the Lambeth Commission, which produced the Windsor Report. The sample Anglican covenant in that report was largely written by Wright. Episcopal News Service ran a story on the Wright career change here.

Bishop Daniel W. Herzog, the retired Bishop of Albany who left The Episcopal Church in 2007 to join the Roman Catholic Church, has returned to The Episcopal Church. Herzog, a critic of the church’s consecration of Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire, was welcomed back into the church by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who, according to Episcopal News Service, issued an order for Restoration of Ordained Ministry for Bishop Herzog.

Mandamus arguments heard in Fort Worth case

The Texas Second Court of Appeals heard arguments April 27, 2010, from both the reorganized Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and the breakaway diocese led by Bishop Jack Iker and also calling itself the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. The latter group is trying to get the court to reverse the decision of the trial court to let the case go forward, with both sides claiming to represent the same entity. (Iker, et al., are seeking a mandamus writ instructing the trial judge to reverse his decision on so-called Rule 12.) Issuing such a writ would greatly prejudice the case being pursued by the Episcopal Church diocese. Iker’s diocese wrote about the proceedings here. The Episcopal Church diocese has a brief note about the April 27 court appearance here, on a page that also reviews legal maneuvers to this point. Audio of the April 27 arguments can be heard here, and information about the litigation on the Court of Appeals Web site can be found here.

News for Week Ending 4/26/2010

2010-04-26T22:02:00.001-04:00

Global South leaders complete meeting with “Trumpet”

The Fourth Anglican Global South to South Encounter—see Pittsburgh Update story here—was held in Singapore April 19–23, 2010. The group of invited conservative Anglican leaders not confined to the “Global South,” issued a communiqué—called a “Trumpet”—at the end of their meeting that can be read here. The program was covered on-line in great detail by Global South Online here.

As expected, the final communiqué was critical of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada. The dissatisfaction with the state of the Anglican Communion expressed by the group went much deeper. Indeed, the communiqué ended with the following statement:

We believe that there is a need to review the entire Anglican Communion structure; especially the Instruments of Communion and the Anglican Communion office; in order to achieve an authentic expression of the current reality of our Anglican Communion.

Surprisingly, although the communiqué urged various actions on Anglican churches (establishing communion with the Anglican Church in North America, for example), the group took no collective action other than issuing its Trumpet. The proposed Anglican covenant was neither endorsed nor rejected, for example.

Episcopal News Service ran stories on the beginning and end of the Encounter. The Encounter was also covered by Church Times, and The Christian Post. Thinking Anglicans has posts linking both news and comment about the meeting here, here, here, here, and here.

New Yorker covers CoE women bishops struggle

The New Yorker recently published an article on the struggle within the Church of England to allow for women bishops. The article can be read on-line here. It provides insight into the politics of the Church of England, which are not always apparent to the casual American observer. The Archbishop of Canterbury is trying to hold his own church together at the same time he is trying to preserve the unity of the Anglican Communion.

Maori diocese moves to ordain gays

The Lead reported April 25, 2010, that a diocese of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Polynesia has, in principle, decided to accept the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy. The Lead article tries to put this move in context, as the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Polynesia has an unusual organization.

Lutherans move forward with gay clergy

Concerned Lutherans/North America reported April 11, 2010, that the ELCA Church Council has approved wording implementing the decision made earlier by the church to allow for pastors in committed, same-sex relationships.

Lesbian couple exchanges vows in Southern Ohio

Episcopal News Service reported April 13, 2010, on an April 11 service in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio in which a lesbian couple exchanged vows in a Cincinnati church. Bishop Thomas E. Breidenthal had announced earlier that, in response to resolutions passed at the 2009 General Convention, he would lift his diocese’s ban on blessing same-sex unions after Easter.

Bishop explains Glasspool vote

The Rt. Rev. Scott A. Benhase, Bishop of Georgia, wrote to his flock April 21, 2010, explaining why he gave his consent for the consecration of the Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool to become a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Such explanations are seldom forthcoming either from bishops or standing committees. Notably, the Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith IV, Bishop of Southern Virginia, sent a similar letter in February explaining his vote against the Glasspool consecration.

Duncan briefs diocese on legal issues

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Archbishop Robert Duncan and other leaders of the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh briefed parish leaders April 25, 2010, at St. Martin’s, Monroeville, about ongoing litigation with Calvary Church, the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, and The Episcopal Church. According to the newspaper’s account, Duncan assured his listeners that “the appeal of the case is ongoing.” The Anglican diocese posted a story about the meeting here, which includes links to a statement from Duncan and other materials.

Local Presbyterians lose property case

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported April 10, 2010, that a Washington County Common Pleas judge has blocked an effort by members of the Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church who wish to remain in the Presbyterian Church (USA) to regain control of the church. The congregation voted 207–26 to leave their church for a more conservative denomination. Based on the neutral principles of law standard, Judge Paul Pozonsky ruled that the minority petitioners had not proved their case. The plaintiffs plan to appeal. It is unclear whether the decision has any relevance to local Episcopal Church disputes.

American TAC group appeals to Pope

The Anglo-Catholic has posted a letter from the Anglican Church in America (a part of the Traditional Anglican Communion) and parishes of the Anglican Use to the Vatican. The letter is a request to begin the process of incorporating these non-Anglican-Communion churches into the Roman Catholic Church, thus taking advantage of an offer made by the Vatican last October. (See Pittsburgh Update stories here and here.)

News for Week Ending 4/19/2010

2010-04-19T23:54:00.000-04:00

Communion Partners Clergy lobby Global South Encounter to adopt covenant

The so-called Communion Partners Clergy, a group of 90 non-episcopal conservative clergy have urged participants of the Fourth Global South to South Encounter being held in Singapore April 19–23, 2010, to adopt the proposed Anglican covenant. Although participants in the Encounter will mostly be clergy from conservative churches of the Anglican Communion in the Global South, Anglican Mainstream has reported that Archbishop Robert Duncan of the Anglican Church in North America and Episcopal bishops John Howe of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida and Mark Lawrence of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina will also attend. The Archbishop of Canterbury was expected to participate, though restricted airline traffic from the U.K. resulting from the Icelandic volcano may preclude his attending. A list of represented provinces can be found here, and the agenda can be found here.

Thinking Anglicans has posted links to early reports on the Fourth Global South to South Encounter here and can be expect to cover the event as news becomes available. Episcopal News Service has published an initial story about the event here. Updates can also be read on Global South Anglican Online.

Senate passes resolution on anti-gay Ugandan bill

On April 13, 2010, the U.S. Senate approved a resolution by unanimous consent condemning the anti-gay legislation now pending in the Uganda legislature. Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on African affairs, introduced the bill. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda, but the proposed legislation would introduce the death penalty for certain activities and would otherwise restrict civil liberties. The Senate action was reported by DC Agenda and other media outlets.

Utah nominates partnered gay priest

The Living Church reported April 12, 2010, that the Episcopal Diocese of Utah has nominated the Very Rev. Canon Michael L. Barlowe, the Episcopal Diocese of California’s canon for congregational ministries and a partnered gay priest, as its next bishop. Barlowe is one of four episcopal candidates. The Diocese of Utah has more information on the candidates here.

Portland church members to depart, leaving assets behind

Episcopal News Service reported April 13, 2010, that the rector and 100 members of St. Matthew’s Church, Portland, plan to leave The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon to form a new congregation in the Anglican Church in North America. Members of the congregation who are not leaving The Episcopal Church will retain parish real estate and other parish property.

News for Week Ending 4/12/2010

2010-04-12T21:02:00.000-04:00

Irish primate laments Glasspool approval

In a statement to The Church of Ireland Gazette, Irish primate and Archbishop of Armagh Alan Harper lamented the decision of The Episcopal Church to consecrate the Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool as a suffragan bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.)

Archbishop Harper was responding to a letter sent by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to her fellow primates explaining the Glasspool situation. “The decision of The Episcopal Church in respect of the confirmation of an election and subsequent consecration of a partnered gay person to the episcopate has clearly signalled the end of ‘gracious restraint’. This is a development which I deeply regret,” Harper said.

Harper also decried continued border crossings and the blessing of same-sex unions. He noted that “extraterritorial interventions” “have now been added to by the setting up of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), an overtly extra-territorial province-in-embryo, embracing the national integrities of both the United States of America and Canada.” He concluded, “It is very hard to see how these developments may shape the future of the Anglican Communion.”

Uganda primate wants to discipline ‘unbiblical’ churches

Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, of the Church of the Province of Uganda, wrote a three-page, angry letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury last week. Orombi, who visited the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh a number of times under Bishop Robert Duncan, wrote, “I stand with my brother Primate, Bishop Mouneer Anis, in his courageous decision to resign from the Standing Committee.” In standing with Anis, however, Orombi, apparently, was not resigning from the Standing Committee, even though he has not been attending its meetings.

Anis, primate of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and The Middle East, resigned from the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion in January, declaring that his presence has “no value whatsoever.” His letter can be read here. The story was covered by Episcopal News Service February 1, 2010.

Orombi’s letter expressed frustration with the failure of the Anglican Communion to discipline The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada, which he described as engaging in “unbiblical practices that contradict the faith of Anglicanism.” Orombi also complained about how the Archbishop of Canterbury has managed the ongoing crisis. He called for a meeting of the primates to deal with the crisis, but he wants primates of The Episcopal Church and Anglican Church of Canada to be excluded from the meeting.

Episcopal News Service, Church Times, and other media outlets have covered the Orombi letter.

GAFCON Primates Council issues statement

The GAFCON/FCA Primates Council issued a communiqué April 10, 2010, following their meeting in Bermuda in advance of the Fourth Global South to South Encounter to be held in Singapore April 19–23, 2010. The statement notes the retirement of Nigeria’s Archbishop Peter Akinola, and reports that Presiding Bishop Gregory Venables of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone has been elected chairman of the group. Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini, of the Church of Rwanda, and Archbishop Eliud Wabukala of the Anglican Church of Kenya have been elected vice chairmen. Continuing as general secretary is Archbishop Peter Jensen of Sydney, in the Anglican Church of Australia.

The Primates Council asserts that the decision to consecrate the Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool—see Pittsburgh Update story here—makes it clear that there is no longer any pretense of “gracious restraint” on the part of The Episcopal Church. The communiqué expresses no faith in the efforts to restructure the Anglican Comununion. “The Anglican Communion will only be able to fulfill its gospel mandate if it understands itself to be a community gathered around a confession of faith rather than an organisation that has its primary focus on institutional loyalty,” the statement asserts.

The communiqué was signed by a number of primates. Uganda’s Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi was apparently not present and was represented by another Ugandan bishop. Archbishop Peter Jensen signed, but he is not actually a primate. Another signatory, Archbishop Robert Duncan, of the Anglican Church of North America, is, of course, not a primate of the Anglican Communion.

SAMS changes name, expands mission

The South American Missionary Society, headquartered in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, announced April 10, 2010, that it is changing both its name and its mission. It will now be the Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders and will expand its mission field beyond South America. The name change is designed to reflect the broader goals of the society while retaining the familiar SAMS acronym.

The announcement was covered in an April 12 story from Anglican Communion News Service. ACNS quotes Stewart Wicker, the SAMS president, as explaining, “As the board considered our identity as a community, it became increasingly clear that we should become known more by who we are than by what we do. We are a society of missionaries, serving in partnership with the Anglican Church [sic] globally. We are also, vitally, a society of senders of these missionaries through giving, praying, and supporting.”

News for Week Ending 4/5/2010

2010-04-05T23:39:00.004-04:00

Akinola successor carries on homophobic program

Peter Akinola, the controversial primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, recently retired. His successor is Archbishop Nicholas Okoh. The sermon Okoh preached at his March 25 installation (available on-line here) has made it clear that the church’s anti-homosexuality program is not about to change. Okoh attacked the recent plea of the Bishop of Liverpool that the Anglican be more tolerant of diverse views on the subject. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Okoh went on to say

Do not be afraid of being called homophobic. It is a term designed to close down any expression of a contrary view. Respond by accusing them of gunaphobia [sic]—an inordinate fear of women and of relationships with women.

Okoh also expressed his commitment to GAFCON and the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans. Thinking Anglicans contains links to a variety of commentaries on the Okoh sermon.

Pawleys Island dispute ends with negotiated settlement

One of the longest-running property disputes in The Episcopal Church has ended in a negotiated settlement. The dispute involved All Saints, Pawleys Island, in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. The parish voted to join the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA) in 2004, although legal conflicts with the diocese began even earlier. In September 2009, the Supreme Court of South Carolina awarded parish property to the breakaway congregation, based on unique historical circumstances. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court by The Episcopal Church and by church members who did not wish to join the AMiA was pending when the negotiated settlement was announced. That appeal is being withdrawn. According to Episcopal News Service, the AMiA congregation will retain the parish property, but it will make reasonable provisions for such pastoral matters as funerals in cases where Episcopalians are involved. The AMiA has also offered the Episcopal congregation $375,000 “to assist in their future ministry in our community.” Complete provisions of settlement were not disclosed.

Another S.C. congregation votes to leave

As the Pawleys Island dispute is being settled, another congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina has voted to leave The Episcopal Church for the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA). St. Andrew’s Church of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, voted March 28, 2010, to join the AMiA. Both Episcopal News Service and The Living Church reported the story. Bishop of South Carolina Mark Lawrence admitted that he was “saddened” by the new development, but he criticized the direction of The Episcopal Church and has made no attempt to retain the property of the Mount Pleasant parish.

Diocesan workshops scheduled for April 10

The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is sponsoring an all-day program of workshops for members of the diocese on April 10, 2010. “Moving Forward Together” is being billed as “a day to reflect, renew, rebuild, and rejoice.” It will be held at Church of the Redeemer, Squirrel Hill. Details are available on the diocesan Web site here. The registration deadline has been extended to Thursday, April 8, and registration can be done by phone by calling the diocese at (412) 721-0853.

News for Week Ending 3/29/2010

2010-03-29T11:46:00.004-04:00

Bishops’ report on sexuality released

The Episcopal House of Bishops has released a draft of the document on same-sex relationships discussed at its recently concluded retreat in Camp Allen, Texas. The document was prepared under the auspices of the bishops’ Theology Committee. Although bishops expected a single paper from the committee, the document, “Same-Sex Relationships in the Life of the Church,” includes an essay from the “traditionalist” viewpoint, an essay from the “liberal” perspective, as well as rebuttals from each side. Apparently, the authors were unable to agree on a single paper. “Same-Sex Relationships” is considered a draft and will undergo future changes. Episcopal News Service reported on the document here. The ENS story also includes details of other matters dealt with by the bishops at their retreat.

Living Church urges PB not to be Glasspool chief consecrator

In a March 26, 2010, editorial, The Living Church suggested that Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori not be the chief consecrator of the Rev. Canon Mary D. Glasspool on May 15. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The editorial suggested that the Presiding Bishop “consider exercising her own gracious restraint” by not attending the consecration.

Newport Beach case moving toward conclusion

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles announced March 29, 2010, that the California Court of Appeal has instructed the Superior Court of Orange County to enter an order for judgment enforcing diocesan property rights over the property of St. James’ Episcopal Church, Newport Beach, California. The congregation of St. James’ voted in 2004 to leave The Episcopal Church. The court action follows the determination by the California Supreme Court that parish property is held in trust for the diocese and The Episcopal Church.

South Carolina convention passes proposed resolutions

Episcopal News Service reported March 26, 2010, that the convention of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina approved all the resolutions brought before it. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The resolutions, as passed, can be found here. Taken together, the resolutions attempt to assert diocesan authority over that of the General Convention. Bishop Mark Lawrence’s address to the South Carolina convention can be viewed and read here.

News for Week Ending 3/22/2010

2010-03-22T19:27:00.001-04:00

Episcopal bishops meeting in Texas

The spring retreat of the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops is meeting in Camp Allen, Texas, March 19–24, 2010. A major item on the bishops’ agenda is discussion of the results of a study, “Same Sex Relationships in the Life of the Church.” Details of this and other business can be read in the story from Episcopal News Service.

Glasspool achieves consents for consecration

The Rev. Canon Mary D. Glasspool received the necessary consents from bishops with jurisdiction last week to be consecrated a suffragan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles on May 15, 2010. It had only recently been announced that Glasspool had received sufficient consents from diocesan standing committees. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Episcopal News Service published a story about Glasspool’s receiving the needed consents from both standing committees and bishops, as well as a story about reactions to the prospect of adding another openly gay, partnered bishop to the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops. The Living Church also published a story about Glasspool’s receiving consents, as well as a story about the somewhat unremarkable reaction from Lambeth Palace, and a story on the stronger reaction from the Communion Partners. ENS published a second story on reactions to the Glasspool consent March 22.

Judge: Connecticut Church belongs to diocese

Episcopal News Service reported March 18, 2010, that a Connecticut judge has ruled that the property of Bishop Seabury Episcopal Church in Groton, Connecticut, is held in trust for the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut and The Episcopal Church. The court decision is available on the diocesan Web site as part of the diocesan press release. This ends a conflict that began in 2005, when then rector, the Rev. Ronald S. Gauss, became one of the “Connecticut Six,” conservative rectors who wanted to remove their parishes from The Episcopal Church. The congregation affiliated with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) in 2007. According to the ENS story,

In his March 15 order, [Judge] Stevens prohibited Gauss and his associates from using the parish’s real and personal property and ordered them immediately to turn that property over to church officials. The judge also barred the defendants from interfering with those officials’ right to immediate possession, custody and control of the property. Finally, he prohibited the defendants from “wasting, selling, transferring, conveying or encumbering” any of the property.

Bennison hearing set for May

The long-running disciplinary proceedings against Bishop of Pennsylvania Charles Bennison will reach a climax on May 4, 2010. That is when, according to Episcopal News Service—see story here—Bennison’s final appeal will be heard to the 2008 trial verdict that he engaged in conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy by covering up sexual improprieties by his brother 35 years ago. Bennison appealed the verdict in January. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.)

“Local” priest nominated for Bishop of Rio Grande

The Living Church reported March 22, 2010, that the Rev. Dr. Leander S. Harding, of Trinity School for Ministry, has been added by petition to the candidates vying to become the next bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande. That diocese has had a troubled history in recent years. Harding joins five other candidates, whose photos, answers to questions, and résumés can be read on the diocesan Web site. Although Harding was formerly canonically resident in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, his canonical residence is now South Carolina, which is presumably a more felicitous ecclesiastical home for him than would be the present Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. (His résumé suggests no professional connection to South Carolina.)