STATEMENT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE
DIOCESE OF WESTERN LOUISIANA
This 14th day of April, 2008.
We, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Western Louisiana, make this statement that we do not recognize the depositions of Bishops Schofield and Cox as having had the requisite canonical votes necessary for the deposition of a bishop. We would refer the Church to the March 27, 2008 letter from the Standing Committee and Bishop of South Carolina to the Presiding Bishop, which we believe to be correct in its recitation of the applicable canons and their history.
The Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church have been held up by some church leaders as part of the way forward for our broken church, in that these governing documents provide a procedural basis for our common life together. One of the main justifications for the actions taken at General Convention 2003 regarding the consents to the Bishop of New Hampshire was that the Diocese of New Hampshire had followed the canonical process in electing a bishop. We also note that the Diocese of South Carolina was held to an exacting standard in obtaining consents for the consecration of Bishop Mark Lawrence, while such exacting standards as to form of consents have not been applied to any other Episcopal election to our knowledge.
However, such documents cannot provide the basis for our common life when they are ignored for expediency’s sake. Selective enforcement of canonical requirements breeds mistrust in the church which can preclude reconciliation. Moreover, we find that the uncanonical actions taken in the matter of the depositions of Bishops Cox and Schofield erode confidence in the church and its canonical processes and delegitimize subsequent actions taken by the Presiding Bishop and others in attempting to reorganize the Diocese of San Joaquin.
We call upon all in authority in the church, including ourselves, to follow the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church in decision making.
Adopted unanimously April 14, 2008, with a motion that the same be sent to:
The Presiding Bishop
Episcopal Life Online
The Living Church
Alive (Robert Harwell, Ed.)
Standing Committee of the Diocese of South Carolina
Endorsed by Bishop MacPherson On April 15, 2008
UPDATE: The Diocesan Council expressed its support by unanimous resolution for this statement by the Standing Committee on April 15, 2008.
BRAVO ZULU! (That’s Navy lingo for Well Done!)
Thanks for taking a stand which I believe is appropriate.
Canon G+
I am very pleased that our Diocese has made this clear statement. In my view we have reached a time in our faith journey as Episcopalians and Anglicans where we simply must speak out each time we witness behavior by “church leaders” that is either plainly contrary to, or seems to simply conveniently ignore, TEC’s Constitution and Canons. Thank you for this statement and I pray that the leadership of the Diocese of Western Louisiana will continue to speak out in the days to come.
Joe
Thank you.
Bishop Cox is my bishop–thank you, DioWLA.
Thank you, Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, and Bishop MacPherson.
Rudy+
Thank you, Western Louisiana
Superb. Thank ya’ll for the stand for truth.
Excellent, Brad. Best news I’ve seen in a long while…
OUTSTANDING. IT IS ABOUT TIME SOMEONE IN AUTHORITY SPEAKS OUT AGAINST THE SELECTIVE AND CAPRICIOUS USE OF THE CANONS BY THE PRESIDING BISHOP, CHANCELLOR, AND HOUSE OF BISHOPS.
IF THIS WORKS LETS SEE IF WE CAN GET THEM ON BOARD REGARDING THE BIBLE.
Excellent response, Western Louisiana. There are times that I wish that I had never left Cenla for (Missouri and) North Carolina, and this is one of them.
Thanks you for your clarity and courage. I hope and pray that with your lead, others will follow.
God bless you, my friends and sometime fellow-workers
Larry and I applaud and thank you for your candid, sincere, honest appraisal. We know the Holy Spirit has given you this discerning wisdom.
The Rays
Bishop Cox is my bishop too, as well as my friend. God Bless you Diocese of Western Louisiana, and thank you.
Thanks Brad and the Dioc. of W. LA–I wish more would stand with you in this matter!
Well done Western Louisiana. Hopefully your stand and that of SC will embolden others to call 815 to heel.
May your tribe increase!
I thank God for the Standing Committee of Western LA and our Bishop MacPherson for their stand against the improper depositions of Bishops Cox & Schofield. It is time…& I congratulate you all.
Jake? Padre Wayne? Liz Kaeton? Potter? Mad Priest?
?
New strategy? Us knuckle draggers still need educating. Plenty of room to comment on this one.
Maybe +Bruce is a little too tough for a verbal mugging on his own turf. Not like the 80 year old bishops with dying sons ande wives that were savaged recently by Our Glorious Leader.
Ted, you put me is some good company. Actually, I agree with the standing committee. If I were on the committee I would have had to vote in favor or the letter. But, in the end, what difference does it make?