Posted on 02/08/2006 3:13:33 PM PST by sionnsar
The Diocese of Hawaii has created its first arrangement for delegated episcopal pastoral oversight (DEPO), permitting a Honolulu parish to invite the Bishop of South Carolina, the Rt. Rev. Edward L. Salmon, to offer pastoral episcopal care.
On Jan. 1, Calvary Church in Kaneohe asked the Rt. Rev. Richard Chang, Bishop of Hawaii for DEPO, as outlined by the House of Bishops’ “Caring for all the Churches” agreement of March 23, 2004.
Bishop Chang responded by offering the parish the names of four bishops who would be acceptable to him. A member of the Anglican Communion Network, Calvary selected Bishop Salmon from among Bishop Chang’s list.
The exact nature of his responsibilities toward Calvary Church has not yet been finalized, Bishop Salmon told The Living Church. Consistent with the terms of DEPO, Bishop Chang will maintain episcopal jurisdiction over the parish, and Calvary will remain part of the Diocese of Hawaii, according to Calvary’s rector, the Rev. Joseph Carr.
Writing in the parish's February newsletter, Fr. Carr said Bishop Chang would visit the parish on Feb. 12 as previously announced. “The vestry has decided to welcome him as the celebrant and preacher at both morning services knowing that this may be difficult for some, yet knowing we wish to live into the aloha spirit” of the DEPO agreement.
Fr. Carr and Calvary senior warden Warren Na'ai praised Bishop Chang as “gracious” and “tolerant”, telling the Honolulu Advertiser, “Our goal all along is to remain in communion with other churches” in the diocese. “We haven’t said ‘Fine, we’re taking our toys and leaving,’ because our bishop has been so gracious.”
Bishop Chang told the Advertiser he had agreed to the DEPO arrangement in order to preserve the “unity of the church” and foster “reconciliation”. “It’s a provision that I think will help to keep the people with the life of the diocese,” Bishop Chang said.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Wonder why? Maybe he figures the parish will get tired of paying for the bishop to fly out?
(I shouldn't be so uncharitable. Maybe he honestly wishes for his flock to be happy and cared for. I hope so. But if so, why hasn't anybody else done this?)
I believe this is the only case. Other proposals were rather fettered.
I thought the Bishop continuing to show up was one of the reasons most parishes weren't willing to go with DEPO. It looks like the parish is trying to bend over backwards to make things work.
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