Response to the Interim Pastoral Presence
The following are identical letters to Canon Cox and Canon Moore.
February 15, 2008
It is my understanding that you have been hired by the Presiding Bishop's Office to be a part of an interim pastoral presence with oversight in the Diocese of San Joaquin. This fact indicates one of the two things: 1) You do not believe that the Diocese was capable of removing itself from TEC in December 2007, and therefore you are intruding into the internal affairs of a recognized TEC diocese; or, 2) You do believe this diocese left TEC in 2007 and you are entering into the internal affairs of a diocese of another province.
In either case, at present, The Episcopal Church has begun attacking both me and this diocese. Your coming here is unconscionable in that you are meddling in the affairs of San Joaquin with neither the courtesy of requesting my permission as bishop nor even troubling to inform me of your plans. Such actions are hardly those of men with honorable intentions. Even though you have already taken it upon yourself to be in contact with clergy and parishes, under no circumstances are you welcome to hold meetings in this diocese or to ask permission of clergy or other leaders to do so. If indeed your proposal is to seek reconciliation with the goal to reduce the "threat of law suits" you are approaching the wrong persons. Why do you not come directly to me with your concerns and offers, for such lawsuits - presumably - would be lodged against me?
Should you choose to deal directly with me concerning the above mentioned proposals I would be willing to set aside time to meet with you in my office in Fresno. Apart from this, I ask you to desist from entering this diocese.
I remain, In earnest,
+John-David Schofield
Cc: The Most Reverend Katherine Jefferts-Schori The Most Reverend Gregory Venables
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