The Rt. Rev. Andrew D. Smith, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, recently mailed letters to clergy, wardens, vestry of six congregations in the Diocese that requested Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight last spring. In response to a number of inquiries he has received for comment, the bishop has released the following statement:
The six parishes asked for Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (DEPO) last May. When it was offered, the expectations they had were different from what the church can allow. In the time since then, weve made no progress in the understanding that DEPO is what the church can offer. My clear desire is for the clergy and parishes to remain in communion and for us to continue to serve Christ together.
[And in the comments posted on the latter was the following explanation: --sionnsar]
weve made no progress in the understanding that DEPO is what the church can offer.
Because the Bishop has ignored our requests for explanation. For example, this was written to the Bishop in November 2004: We wish you to know that we fail to see how any of the terms spelled out in our letter of May 27 conflict with any of your episcopal responsibilities of the canons. We therefore respectfully request that you clarify for us in writing your understanding of the canonical character of our differences as a prelude to any conferences aimed at attaining, as you phrase it, closure on the question before us.
My clear desire is for the clergy and parishes to remain in communion and for us to continue to serve Christ together.
And hes decided that the best way to facilitate that is deposition.
Comment by Connecticutian
Dear sionnsar,
Wow, the statement signed by the six bishops is about the most blunt, least "diplomatic" thing I've ever seen by an Episcopalian, with exception of Bishop Griswold's insane meanderings about who is and who isn't the devil.
What's the upshot of a statement like this? It seems to be almost an open declaration of war.
sitetest
I was at his consecration. Techincally, he never swore the traditional oath. He asked the congregation to say it. I thought it was bizarre then. I understand it now. My wife who has a true gift of discernment, said she felt evil there.