Posted on 09/03/2005 6:03:45 PM PDT by sionnsar
National Review:
On August 22, Bishop Andrew Smith of Connecticut (see here and here) was formally charged by 19 priests and lay people of his diocese for conduct unbecoming a clergyman. A review committee — that's the Episcopalian equivalent of a grand jury — must now be empaneled within 90 days to investigate the charges. In the fine old tradition of religious proceedings moving at their own pace sub specie aeternitatis, however, it will likely be about two years before this committee either issues an indictment or clears Smith on all charges.
There are 18 actual charges, listed here. They fall into three groups: theological — that Bishop Smith has acted at variance with Church doctrine; venal — that he has engaged in a repeated pattern of personal misconduct unbecoming a clerk in holy orders; and financial — that he broke Connecticut and Church fiduciary laws. The opinion of my clued-in Anglican Guy is: "The theological charges won't stick and I assume they will be dropped. The abuse of fiduciary duty charges will convict, and the venal charges will hang him. ... It will cost Smith approximately $250,000 in legal fees, and he may very well be defrocked by the time this is all over. At the least he will be publicly shamed in front of his peers."
It's a sad business, and I can't imagine any Episcopalian is taking any pleasure in it. I am certainly not. Rather than see Bishop Smith humiliated, impoverished, and defrocked, I'd much prefer he step down quietly and go off to meditate in a retreat somewhere, then take up mundane good works. His past record suggests that he is not the kind of person to relinquish his crosier so meekly, but I hope someone of power and influence is urging this course on him none the less.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams, Amen - and may the legacy he left be perpetuated for the good of the Church of Jesus Christ.
"Legacy"
You lost me there, guy. Would that be "(a) By denying of the doctrinal nature of the Episcopal Church; and (b) By adopting a liturgical form for the celebration of same sex unions; and (c) By supporting consecration as a bishop of a homosexual person openly living with a same-sex partner."
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