Diocesan News
Bishop Henderson on "The Constitutional Crisis, 2007"
Click
here for the Living Church's Web report on "The
Constitutional Crisis," which includes details of the report and
also quotes Bishop Henderson.
See the "National"
section of this newsletter for more news of our bishop and the House of Bishops.
September 17, 2007
Beloved,
a
document is being circulated among the Bishops of The
Episcopal Church, and by Internet, to broader circles. The full
title is “The Constitutional Crisis, 2007: A Statement to the
House of Bishops, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Honored
Visitors”. It has been circulated to be considered during the
upcoming meeting of the House of Bishops, and it bears my name.
Although asked several months ago by Bishop Doss, the first
lawyer-bishop to suggest the project, to participate in the
writing of the document, I have not, in fact, contributed to its
research, content or drafting. Consequently, I asked that my
name be removed from the list of contributors, but the paper had
already been sent to the printer for publication and
distribution.
It is being said that I have “repudiated” the document. This,
too, is inaccurate. Indeed, I asked for my name to be removed
because, as stated above, I had not contributed to it and did
not avail myself in a timely fashion to review and critique its
contents—but also, as I indicated to Bishop Doss, because at
best I would be “concurring in part and dissenting in part”. I
think that there are parts of the thesis which the authors set
out which are worth consideration—along with many others which
have been developed as part of the process commended to us in
The Windsor Report.
However, I also believe that the document, and the dialogue
which it will provoke, must necessarily involve consideration of
the following:
1. The specific inclusion of the provisions of The Chicago-Lambeth
Quadrilateral (see pp. 876-877 of the BCP) as well as the Creeds
of the Church, would bring, in my opinion, greater clarity to
the concept and content of such a constitution.
2. Because the catechism reflects the historic and traditional
understanding of the ministry of the various orders, I am
convinced that bishops, who specifically—and unlike the other
orders—have the responsibility “to guard the faith, unity and
discipline of the whole Church” Accordingly, it would seem that
Bishops, in those limited areas, have a responsibility which
does not require the concurrence of the General Convention (as
much as concurrence is to be desired). My view is inconsistent
with the position taken in the paper.
3. A good dose of Richard Hooker would—again, in my humble
opinion—enrich the content of “The Constitutional Crisis” and
the dialogue about it.
4. I also fear that some of the “tone” of some the language
utilized in the paper will tend to be a barrier to objective
consideration of the overall concept.
I commend to your diligent prayers the bishops, The Episcopal
Church and the Anglican Communion as we convene in New Orleans
beginning the evening of September 19.
Faithfully in our Lord,
+Dorsey USC VII
85th Convention coming, October 26-27
Nominees for diocesan office, proposed Statement of Mission, guest registration online at www.edusc.org
Visit
the diocesan Web Site to review
nominees for diocesan office, the proposed 2008 Statement of Mission, and
proposed resolutions and canon changes. You'll also find links to online guest
registration, convention agenda, and more. Please note that clergy and delegates
are to register by snail mail this year. The form is available for download
here.
DEC minutes now available on diocesan Web site
Be in the know by taking advantage of this new diocesan feature. Minutes of the Diocesan Executive Council meetings are now available on our Web site, here.
Calling All Gravatt Staff Alumni!
The
Camp Gravatt Staff and Volunteer Reunion is set for April 19,
2008. Please help us locate former Gravatt staffers and
volunteers. Send names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers,
email addresses and years on staff or served as a volunteer to
gravattreunion@gmail.com, and let us know if you'd like
to volunteer on the Reunion Committee.
Two ECW District Meetings to go!
Mark your calendar for the fall ECW District Meetings coming your way! For more information contact ECW president Beck Sullivan.
October 7 (Sun.) |
Northwest District |
St. Philip's, Greenville |
October 13 |
Western District |
St. Bartholomew's, N. Augusta |