Where Are We?

How We Got Here

a. Our Vision - Making Biblical Anglicans for a Global Age

b. The Theological Crisisi. A False Gospelii. Symptomsiii. Diocesan Response: Differentiation

How We Got Here

c. The Constitutional Crisisi. Title IV changes to Canons that violate the

Constitution of TEC1. Usurps the exclusive constitutional authority given to

dioceses for the trial of clergy2. Gives the Presiding Bishop unprecedented and

unconstitutional authority over diocesan bishops Related issues: Concerns about due process and the

potential for canonical abuse, based on recent history

ii. To uphold the Constitution must limit accession to the canons

How We Got Here

iii. Diocesan Response:– Affirmed sovereignty of the Diocese (March 2010) and

rejected the authority of the Presiding Bishop to retain legal counsel

– Corporate Charter Purpose Statement (Oct. 2010)– Removed accession (acknowledgement we are under) to the

TEC canons, particularly Title IV, from Diocesan Canons (Oct. 2010)

– Completed removal of accession to TEC canons from the Diocesan Constitution (Feb. 2011)

What Has Happened?

a. Verbal notice from Bp. Dorsey Henderson of “serious charges” (Sept. 29, 2011)

b. The “allegations” received (Sept. 30, 2011)i. Resolution of Diocesan convention to amend our Corporate Charter

(Oct. 2010)ii. Resolution of Diocesan convention to amend our Diocesan

Constitution (Feb. 2011)iii. Resolution of Diocesan convention to amend our Diocesan Canons

(Oct. 2010)iv. Diocesan resolution affirming the Bp.’s authority to settle property

issues and not contesting St. Andrew’s property in courtv. Resolution of Diocesan Convention affirming we are a “sovereign

diocese” and demanding the Presiding Bishop remove her unconstitutionally retained local attorney

What Has Happened?

vi. Reduced reference to TEC in Diocesan and Parish websites

vii. “Done nothing” to stop parishes from moving towards withdrawal

viii. Started other missions but not supported St. Mark’s Chapel, Port Royal

ix. Referenced in an ACNA conference documentx. Referred to TEC as a “comatose patient” and a “sidecar”xi. Has said TEC is “under sway” of a “false gospel of

indiscriminate inclusivity”xii. “Ordained his son as a priest when he had not been

ordained a deacon in this church”…

What Can Happen Now?

a. Charge is “Abandonment” under Canon 16i. “an open renunciation of the Doctrine, Discipline or

Worship of the Church” … orii. “formal admission into any religious body not in

communion with the same” … oriii. “by exercising Episcopal acts in and for a religious

body other than the Church or another church in Communion with this Church…”

What Can Happen Now?

b. Disciplinary Board for Bishopsi. Composition

– 10 bishops elected by the HOB– 4 priests and 4 laity appointed by Pres. HOD– Rt. Rev. Dorsey Henderson, President Board

ii. Task: To investigate allegations and judge if effect is of abandonment

iii. If “certify” that one or more constitute abandonment, the Presiding Bishop “shall place a restriction on the exercise of ministry”

What Can Happen Now?

c. The Bishop then has (60) days to respondd. Failing that, charges are presented at the next

meeting of the HOBi. Bishops vote whether to consent to bishop being

“deposed”ii. If majority agree - DEPOSED

Removed as a bishop of the Episcopal Church

What The Diocese Will Do

a. Bishop will prayerfully consider his responseb. Standing Committee will meet to consider its

responsec. Anticipate special meetings for Diocesan

conversation

What Each Parish Needs To Do

a. Understand the issuesb. Understand the possible consequencesc. Consider: What is necessary for us to pursue our

vision for ministry?