FT. WORTH: Rump Diocesan Bishop Makes Last Ditch Appeal to Orthodox Anglicans

Via VirtueOnline:

THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH

Thc Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick, Jr. D.D.,
Provisional Bishop of Fort Worth
May 26, 2009

Dear Father _____________

In this Paschal season. I greet you in the Name of Jesus Christ crucified and risen. 1 also greet you as a brother in Christ and rejoice that no issues or divisions within the body of Christ are as strong or defining as the bond and covenant that the living God establishes in the waters of Holy Baptism.

I want to begin by thanking you for your service as a priest or deacon in the Episcopal Church. I know that many have benefited from your devoted service and the effect of your faithful ministry continues in the lives you have touched.

I know that many of you have searched your hearts and conscience and have come to a decision to join with Bishop Iker to realign your allegiance with Anglicans in the Southern Cone.

It is not my intention in writing you this letter to trespass upon your conscience in this mailer or to offer any new arguments or words of persuasion.

However, before I begin to exercise certain canonical responsibilities regarding the status of those who have left the Episcopal Church. 1 feel compelled to offer to meet with you. if you wish, for a conversation related to your own discernment and decision.

Since the convention of the Diocese of Fort Worth in November the primates have met, the Anglican Consultative Council has met, and legal decisions, have been rendered in several jurisdictions in the United States which may well impact and inform realities here in Texas.

In fairness to you, 1 would like to be absolutely sure that your decision to leave the Episcopal Church is final and that your conscience and soul are at peace. If that is in fact the case, then any canonical action that I am forced to perform as Provisional Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth will simply be the declaration of a reality that exists.

If on the other hand, there is still an open ended space for further discernment, I stand ready to be available to consult and pray deeply with you about your relationship to the Episcopal Church. If you would like to have a conversation with me, you can be assured that the content of the conversation will be held in confidence.

I am preserving the following dates for appointments: I have afternoons free on June 9, 10. 12 and 15. If I do not hear from you by return mail, 1 will assume that you have made your decision. Please know that 1 join with you in Christ's prayer that all may be one and in the hope that this present season of brokenness in Christ's one body will be healed by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Faithfully yours,

The Right Reverend Edwin F. Gulick, Jr.
Provisional Bishop of Fort Worth
3550 Southwest Loop 820,
Fort Worth, TX 76133
phone 817 921.4533
fax 817 926.8278
email edofw@att.net
www.episcopaldiocesefortworth.org
A Diocese of the Episcopal Church