In the Diocese of Southwest Florida Bishop Dabney Smith failed to keep the promise of their previous bishop to send tens of thousands of dollars of conscience money from some 1,000 Anglo-Catholics and Evangelicals in their sister diocese, the Dominican Republic.
Instead he has sent it to the national church in NYC, violating an agreement that started with Bishop John Lipscomb. Promises were made, and then not kept, that those orthodox clergy and laity who disagreed with the Robinson consecration could have their monies diverted to another Episcopal cause. Smith's failure brought cries of outrage from one couple and several other Anglo-Catholics in the diocese who spilled the story to VOL.
All this is reminiscent of another Bishop, Charles E. Bennison, who made promises to seven Anglo-Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Pennsylvania that he would continue the flying bishop arrangement begun under another bishop for Anglo-Catholics in that diocese. He reneged on that promise. Now he has been sentenced to be deposed.
You can read the full story here or in today's digest. http://tinyurl.com/yebg3f9
When the story broke, Jan Spangler, one of VOL's sources, got a disturbing note from her rector, an Anglo-Catholic, Fr. Fred Robinson who wrote this:
Dear Jan and Doug,
I just heard about the David Virtue piece on S.W. Fl. There are few things that could be more damaging to us and other conservative parishes in the diocese who are working with our bishop on this pastoral issue. I know you and Doug would do nothing to hurt your beloved Redeemer, but if you know who is behind this I would like to know. This is just the kind of thing a liberal would do to damage a successful parish like Redeemer that proclaims the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Any help you can give me would be appreciated.
In Christ,
Fr. Fred+
Jan Spangler replied to Fr. Robinson saying this:
Fr. Robinson, I personally will take responsibility for this leaking out to Virtue. He called me on the phone Tuesday, I told the truth. I'm not his only source, only the one who isn't afraid to allow my name to be used. Sorry if your attempts to keep this outrageous thing under wraps is blown.... The Bishop has had plenty of time to keep his word. If you and other clergy will not say "Enough", then I as a lay person will. Get over it. Now we will see what happens.
Personally I don't think he EVER intended to keep this agreement and we should all at least know the truth so we can Honestly pledge without deception. You may have to kiss his xxx but I do not. I hate being lied to... and he was given plenty of time to get this done. Man up sir. Tell your people what is going on and trust them to do what their hearts tell them with their money. This is the Church of Jesus Christ, and as far as I know he's still in charge of what happens to it. The truth should never be kept from us, not by the bishop and not by you. I am not sorry for speaking the truth, only sorry I believed you and the Bishop for as long as I did. Stop accusing me of "hurting Redeemer" , its falsehoods and half truths and deceit that hurt Redeemer. She can survive the Truth if God wills it. Please, do the right thing and deal with it.
Sincerely,
Jan Spangler
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