Diocese of West Texas: Christ Church, San Antonio Passes Resolution on Diocesan Governance

Posted at Stand Firm:

[Received via email and posted with permission]

Christ Church, San Antonio's vestry has unanimously passed this resolution, which originally had been submitted by five parishes to the diocese's last convention but subsequently tabled.

AFFIRMING THE INTEGRITY OF DIOCESAN GOVERNANCE IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

WHEREAS, the General Convention of The Episcopal Church and the Office of the Presiding Bishop are constitutionally and historically instruments of the various dioceses, and serve at the pleasure and for the benefit of the dioceses; and

WHEREAS, in a letter dated October 14, 2007 to Bishop John W. Howe of the Diocese of Central Florida, the Archbishop of Canterbury affirms that, “The organ of 
union with the wider Church is the Bishop and the Diocese rather than the Provincial structure as such;” and

WHEREAS, the Communion Partners Bishops, of which our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge, is a participant, has stated that the office of “bishop” is the focus of unity for The Episcopal Church, and that “Traditionally, this has been understood in terms of bishop-to-bishop relationships;” and

WHEREAS, the General Convention Budget has historically been funded by dioceses based on their financial capability and voluntary choice;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, in action by its Vestry at a regular meeting on March 17, 2009, Christ Church, San Antonio affirms that it is in union with the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ directly through the Anglican Communion, its Instruments of Unity, and our Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our rector, clergy and vestry accepts no actions that would reverse the authority roles between Dioceses and the General Convention, or would grant the Office of the Presiding Bishop executive powers over Dioceses and their Bishops; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we accept no specific actions by General Convention that would mandate financial assessments from Dioceses to the General Convention budget; unilaterally impose trust interests on diocesan and congregational assets; place laypersons who hold leadership roles under disciplinary canons.