David Booth Beers: "We can sue them."
From: Anglicans United
Post #5 Executive Council by Cherie Wetzel
June 18, 2007
Hi, Everyone.
As I explained the other day, I am at the Council meeting as a member of the Press. Press passes are given to those who apply and meet certain requirements. The press is guided and directed by Canon Bob Williams, the Director of Communications and Neva Rae Fox, his intrepid assistant and excellent friend of the press people here. I had a delightful opportunity to ride with them into New York City on Tuesday.
Regardless of our political beliefs, their actions and behavior towards me have been gracious and welcoming. Most of the people I have encountered here have been polite and cordial. Committee chairmen have all approved my sitting in on their meetings until they went into closed session. Indeed, the National Concerns chair, John Vanderstar, sought me out after break yesterday afternoon when that committee re-opened their meeting. Yet, I have not forgotten that I am here on your behalf and will continue these postings through the weekend, as it will take me that long to get all of the information in order.
Since many of you have asked and prayed that I would not be subjected to ill-treatment, I want to make this clear.
I also need to publish two corrections. The Presiding Bishop has maintained her maiden name and I have cited it incorrectly. Also, when she hosted the Executive Council on Tuesday at her apartment, she did not serve cocktails. Perhaps wine; not cocktails. I regret that I misinformed you.
This morning, in Plenary, several issues that deal with network dioceses and the Anglican Communion came up for vote. These issues have been discussed in private and except for a general release last night by Episcopal News Service, we did not have access to the discussions or the resolutions.
One resolution dealt with the dioceses that have changed their constitution and canons and limited their full accession to the national constitution and canons. The council made it clear that Pittsburgh (Bishop Bob Duncan), San Joaquin (Bishop John-David Schofield), Quincy (Bishop Keith Ackerman) and Fort Worth (Bishop Jack Iker), “will live by the rules we have agreed upon at General Convention this will be enforced.” The four dioceses are named in the resolution. The council member from San Joaquin asked that, “you (the Council) treat it as an opportunity not to punish but to enact reconciliation.” I believe this fell on deaf ears.
In discussion, David Booth Beers, the national chancellor stated, “I have written to 2 of the chancellors, if they decline to roll back these canonical and constitutional amendments, the Presiding Bishop will have to consider what action to take. We can sue them. These are recalcitrant dioceses. What did they actually do? Those dioceses have said that they don’t like what we are doing and they won’t go along with it. We will frame our litigation in reference to that.”
The vote was called. There was 1 abstention, and 1 no. The resolution passed by voice vote.
There were three resolutions on the Anglican Communion, again with exact wording to follow tomorrow. One stated that we intend to remain a part of the Communion. Unanimous voice vote.
A second, “tells the Anglican Communion that no governing body other than General Convention can interpret Convention resolutions or agree to deny ‘future decisions by dioceses or General Convention.’” I believe this will negatively impact the September 30 deadline issued by the Dar es Salaam Communiqué. And since most of our bishops have already been invited to Lambeth 2008, complying with the Communiqué is a moot point.
The third resolution involves the Primatial Vicar and Pastoral Council. ‘The Council (will) decline to participate in a so-called Pastoral Scheme proposed by the Primates of the Anglican Communion for dealing with some disaffected Episcopal Church dioceses. In March the House of Bishops said the plan "would be injurious to The Episcopal Church" and urged the Council to decline to participate.
Belton Ziegler of South Carolina proposed a substitution to this resolution, “Ask House Of Bishops to reconsider their decision to decline to participate in the proposed Pastoral Scheme. And Request our Presiding Bishop to take action necessary to convene a pastoral council to determine what action to implement such that the scheme may be appropriately taken under our constitution and canons.
The substitution had no discussion outside of points of order, and it was defeated. The Executive Council will recommend to the House of Bishops at their meeting in September, that they refuse to participate in the Pastoral Council.
So, for now, the course seems clear. Those bishops and dioceses who attempt to leave TEC for reasons of conscience, will be deposed and sued into the next century; those who disagree with the decisions of General Convention have no recourse but to seek a different denomination.
But, I want to caution you not do so yet. The ball is sailing towards the net in this tennis match that we are observing. It will land on the other side of the net and a response will be forthcoming. Bishop Stacey Sauls, Lexington a take no prisoners bishop stated this morning, “Every diocese has pledged itself to Constitution and Canon of TEC, not the primates of the Anglican Communion…. This resolution is a statement that we will live by the rules we have agreed upon and will enforce this.” But, his is not the final word we will hear on this issue. Be of Good Cheer. Jesus has overcome the world.
Cherie Wetzel for Anglicans United
June 14, 2007, 12:45 PM
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. John 12:31-36 KJV
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