More from the Bishop
Diocese of Florida Bishop John W. Howe, perhaps in order to calm down speculation in the diocese (see last post), issued this one to affirm that "dissidents" can leave, but they can't take the property with them into CANA AMiA, etc., etc.
This is an echo of what I've seen quoted of the Presiding Bishop - she will be watching, and no hijackings of church property will be allowed.
Grandmere Mimi asked me why Howe went to the Common Cause Partners shish-ka-bob, although only for the last day, according to people in the know. I can't pretend to know, but I would guess it's for two reasons: first, he is still in sympathy with their beliefs, and second, and more importantly, he sees himself wearing the mantle of peacemaker and diplomat between the church and the dissidents, in his new role assigned him by Presiding Bishop Schori. To do this, he would need to engage the dissidents in discussion, as well as see what they're up to.
I think we are blessed with a wise presiding bishop, who found a way to keep bishops like ours in the church. Those who voted for her to foster schism are being hoist high by their own petard.
Thanks be to God.
Here's Bp. Howe's e-letter of Oct. 2:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
There has been a great deal of conversation over the past few years about whether or not those who wish to leave The Episcopal Church might "negotiate" with the Diocese of Central Florida to purchase church properties and affiliate with some other Province of the Anglican Communion. It is time to end these discussions. The simple answer is: No.
The Windsor Report and the several Communiques from the Primates of the Communion have said that the incursions by foreign Bishops and Archbishops are illegitimate. The Presiding Bishop has said that The Episcopal Church will not allow the purchase of any property by any group that seeks to affiliate with an offshore Province.
I will not permit the passage of any Resolution by the Diocesan Board, the Standing Committee or the Annual Convention of the Diocese of Central Florida that seeks to alter the accession clause in our Constitution to the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, or that seeks to transfer any property held by parishes in trust for the Diocese of Central Florida and The Episcopal Church.
If you must leave, for conscience sake, I will do all in my power to make your leaving amicable. But when you make the decision to leave you immediately cease being a member of The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Central Florida. You immediately cease having any say in decisions regarding any congregation of the Diocese or its property.
Please be aware of this in any plans you might be making.
Warmest regards in our Lord,
The Right Rev. John W. Howe
2 comments:
Pat, that's a lot clearer. Bishop Katharine is very smart. She is, in a sense, co-opting conservative bishops like Bishop Howe and Bishop Jenkins of Louisiana, by drawing them closer into the processes of TEC.
It was a brilliant move on both sides for Bp. Jenkins to ask the HOB to meet in New Orleans, and for the bishops to say yes.
Also, I believe that sensible conservative bishops began to have serious concerns about the leadership of the members of the Network and the alphabet soup groups.
Now that the Joint Standing Committee of the ACC & Primates have reported back on the House of Bishops meeting, it's reasonably clear that the Archbishop of Canterbury and the majority in the Communion are not about to push TEC out or recognize Duncan's group as a North American province.
I think Bishop Howe has realized this for some time, and sought in vain to convince the ultraconservatives in Central Florida that they would end by putting themselves outside the Anglican Communion as well as the Episcopal Church. They may still end up doing this to themselves, but he isn't going to go there with them.
I'm not sure how I feel about the latest set of developments, BTW. I don't think the Joint Standing Committee has suddenly swung around toward TEC, or full inclusion, or anything of the sort. I think it's the jurisdiction issue that turned them against Duncan, Minns, and their followers -- the multiple African bishops with their overlapping territories suddenly being created in great profusion. So it's really that the Network and other ultraconservatives have threatened the Establishment (literally and figuratively speaking), and now the Establishment is coming down -- hard -- against them. Yet something in me finds it hard to cheer the Establishment on. Well, maybe this reaction is all a part of my own process of leaving the Sixties behind for once and for all, something you and Scotist blessedly don't have to go through.
My prayers continue to be with you, Pat.
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