Editor's Note: The following is from Bishop David Bena, Suffragan Bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA). Prior to his ministry with CANA, Bishop Bena was the Suffragan Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany. Bishop Bena has made two pastoral visitations to St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Vestal, NY, the CANA parish in Central NY.
From The Free Lance-Star of Fredericksburg, VA:
Date published: 3/18/2008
FAIRFAX--
The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia recently completed its Annual Council amid raging controversy over the biblical teachings of the church and vicious litigation. A lot of people are getting hurt in this strife. So I read with interest the press releases and statements in the newspapers and blogs regarding what took place at the DOV Council.
Given what was said and what has been written about a group of churches known as the Anglican District of Virginia, I must spend a moment correcting the record. I must defend the members of ADV, as any shepherd would defend his flock against attack.
Overwhelming majorities of the ADV congregations exercised their American rights of freedom of religion, freedom of affiliation, and freedom of choice when they voted 14 months ago to separate from The Episcopal Church. Their referendum was based on the unfortunate reality that The Episcopal Church is on a prodigal course away from its Christian and Anglican roots.
Contrary to what the DOV has been saying publicly, many of the individuals who chose not to vote with the majority are still active members of ADV churches. Every week, in fact, these members worship and volunteer in ADV buildings. ADV churches continue to work together with Episcopal parishes, whether it's by holding funeral and wedding services, or by cooperating in ministry projects like the Lamb Center, a daytime homeless shelter in Fairfax County.
The DOV has embroiled the ADV churches in litigation for over a year. Pressured by national leaders of The Episcopal Church based in New York City, the diocese abruptly broke off what had been amicable settlement negotiations and filed lawsuits against the ADV churches, their clergy, their lay vestries, and unpaid volunteers. The DOV initiated these lawsuits to seize ADV church property.
The majority of the worldwide Anglican Communion has embraced ADV for the stand it has taken. ADV is built around the vision of radical inclusion, of Jesus Christ's profound transformation of all people, and of inspired service to the least, the last, the lost, and the left-out.
In this way, ADV is fulfilling the biblical mission to spread the good news about Jesus the Messiah and to help people locally and around the world. Anyone and everyone who wants to join us in this mission is more than welcome to do so. It is ADV's commitment to the Bible and Jesus' teachings that defines the people of the ADV churches.
The DOV's own Bishop Peter Lee has rightly said that a "shadow" of litigation has been cast upon both our houses. This shadow has been unnecessary. The ADV churches all along have sought an amicable settlement without litigation.
We in ADV still stand dumbfounded that DOV leaders broke off our amicable negotiations to settle the property dispute. My hope is that clearer heads will prevail and faithful negotiations will begin again to end ridiculously expensive litigation.
As a shepherd of flocks, I ask that we seriously consider this course as the ending to this unfortunate drama. My hope, as we move further into the Lenten season, is perhaps deeper introspective --and retrospective--moments of reflection will draw DOV and ADV back to the negotiating table. We can then get about our proper business of serving others.
Bishop David Bena is a contact bishop in the Anglican District of Virginia and a suffragan bishop in the Convocation of Anglicans in North America.
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