From Episcopal Cafe Blog via VirtueOnline:
June 19, 2009
The Presiding Bishop has written a letter to some members of the Order of the Daughters of the King expressing concern that the historically Episcopal order may sever their Episcopal ties.
The Daughters of the King was founded in 1885 by Margaret J. Franklin and describes itself as "a spiritual sisterhood of women dedicated to a life of Prayer, Service and Evangelism. We have made a commitment to Jesus as our Savior, and we follow Him as Lord of our lives." There are chapters in most dioceses and in every Province of the Episcopal Church and they include members who are Roman Catholic, Lutheran and members of other Anglican Churches.
It is on this latter point, that has raised the question of whether the Daughters of the King will remain an Episcopal Order.
One of the ways that the deep Episcopal ties to the Order was expressed was through the appointment of the National Chaplain to the order, an equivalent to an Episcopal Visitor-- was appointed by the Presiding Bishop. The current National Chaplain is the Rt.Rev. John W. Howe, Bishop of Central Florida. The proposed by-laws would allow the Executive Council of the Order to appoint their own National Chaplain.
Traditionally, to be a full, voting member of the DOK, a woman had to be a member of the Episcopal Church. There were associate members of other Christian churches--mainly Roman Catholic and Lutheran, but also of other Anglican churches, including Anglican-related churches not a part of the Anglican Communion or in Communion with the Episcopal Church. In a move described as making the Order more inclusive and fair, the General Assembly voted in 2004 voted to seat "Delegate from Anglican and Roman Catholic chapters ...with voice and vote."
Whether through the consequences of good intentions or by design (or some combination) this has drawn the Daughters of the King right into the middle of the Anglican Controversies, although on a stage not normally visible to most Episcopalians. By allowing Lutheran and Roman Catholic associates to become full members (rather than encouraging these members to form Lutheran and Roman Catholic Orders specific to their own contexts as other religious communities and orders have done), they have opened the door the formerly Episcopal parishes now associated with Anglican-related breakaway groups and denominations to lead the group with its resources out of the Episcopal Church and into a situation where the leadership would only accountable to itself.
A groups of Daughters has gathered to try and keep the Order within the Episcopal Church. Calling themselves The Episcopal Community of Daughters of the King, they are working to call attention to the situation and preserve the Daughters as an Episcopal order rather than an independent, non-denominational and self-contained organization.
It was to this group that the Presiding Bishop wrote:
"I applaud the expressed intention of some to present these changes as an avenue of reconciliation. I applaud the intention, but find it short-sighted. The members of the Daughters of the King may do wonderful work at personal reconciliation, but they are incapable of resolving the issues that have caused some to depart The Episcopal Church. The proposed membership changes have the effect of forcing the Order, and its Episcopal members, to leave their historic affiliation with The Episcopal Church. It would, in my view, be far more appropriate to be clear about the historic character of the Daughters, and highlight the members' ability to welcome others as members of associate chapters. There is nothing wrong with claiming your relationships as faithful members of different strands of the Body of Christ, in support of a common vision, but the origin of that vision and the desire of the members to connect it to The Episcopal Church, or not, needs to be eminently clear. The Order is hampered in fulfilling its mission while it remains mired in these internal controversies."
"I would caution the members about the proposal to remove the requirement that the Chaplain to the Order be appointed by the Presiding Bishop, in favor of appointment by the President of the Board. The Chaplain has historically had a guiding role, of the nature of an episcopal visitor to a religious community (an order of nuns or monks). The Chaplain's appointment is a potential check on overly enthusiastic, narrow, or novel directions espoused by the Board. It is a way in which to keep the Order catholic in the true sense of that word.
"You will all continue in my prayers - for faithfulness. clarity, and charity. May your ministry be a blessing to the larger world."
Proposed By-Law changes to be voted upon at this summer's Triennial meeting would make the following change to their by-laws from this:
Article III. Members Section 1. All members must be women communicants of the Episcopal Church, or of other Churches in communion with it, or of Churches with the Historic Episcopate but not in communion with it.
To this:
Article III. Members Section 1. All members must be women communicants of the Episcopal Church, of other Churches in communion with the Episcopal Church, or of Churches with the Historic Episcopate but not in communion with it. Every member of the Order is referred to as a Daughter in these bylaws. All members paying full dues are entitled to equal membership status (right to vote and hold office). Rationale: All Daughters promise to follow the Rule of Life. "No taxation without representation."
END
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