VA: Presiding Bishop's Statement on Truro, Falls Church Property Dispute

The Episcopal Church ^ | 01-19-2007 | Katharine Jefferts Schori

[rabscuttle385]

The Episcopal Church, in consultation with the Diocese of Virginia, regrets the recent votes by members of some congregations in Virginia to leave this Church. We wish to be clear, however, that while individuals have the right and privilege to depart or return at any time, congregations do not. Congregations exist because they are in communion with the bishop of a diocese, through recognition by diocesan governing bodies (diocesan synods, councils, or conventions). Congregations cannot unilaterally disestablish themselves or remove themselves from a diocese. In addition, by canon law, property of all sorts held by parishes is held and must be used for the mission of the Episcopal Church through diocesan bishops and governing bodies. As a Church, we cannot abrogate our interest in such property, as it is a fiduciary and moral duty to preserve such property for generations to come and the ministries to be served both now and in the future.

The recent decisions by some members of congregations in Virginia to leave the Episcopal Church and ally with the Anglican Church of Nigeria have no cognizance in our polity. Ancient precedent (from as early as the fourth century) in the Church requires bishops to respect diocesan boundaries, and to refrain from crossing into or acting officially in dioceses other than their own. As a Church we cannot and will not work to subvert that ancient precedent by facilitating the establishment of congregations which are purportedly responsible to bishops in other parts of the Anglican Communion within the diocesan boundaries of the Episcopal Church.

The Episcopal Church continues to seek reconciliation with those who have decided to leave this Church, and reminds all parties that our doors are open to any who wish to return. Together with the Diocese of Virginia we seek to be clear about who we are as Episcopalians, and to continue to reach out in healing to this broken world. The overwhelming majority of the more than 7,600 congregations of the Episcopal Church are engaged in doing exactly that.

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church

[rabscuttle385]

Hypocrisy alert.

[rabscuttle385]

Anglican ping?

[rabscuttle385]

As a Church we cannot and will not work to subvert that ancient precedent...

Funny. KJS & the rest of TEC sure didn't have second thoughts about subverting many other "ancient precedent[s]" at the General Conventions of the past few years.

[sionnsar]

Main Entry: pri'mate
Etymology: Middle English primat, from Old French, from Medieval Latin primat-, primas archbishop, from Latin, leader, from primus
Date: 13th century
1 often capitalized : a bishop who has precedence in a province, group of provinces, or a nation
2 archaic : one first in authority or rank : LEADER
3 [New Latin Primates, from Latin, plural of primat-, primas] : any of an order (Primates) of mammals comprising humans, apes, monkeys, and related forms (as lemurs and tarsiers)
-pri'mate-ship \-*ship\ noun
--pri-ma'tial \pr*-*m*-sh*l\ adjective

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[kaehurowing]

"As a Church we cannot and will not work to subvert that ancient precedent..."

In 1979 the Episcopalians repudiated the Thirty-Nine Articles of Faith of the Anglican Communion, and relegated them to a "historical document." Among these are the following, which I would argue have been repudiated by the practice of the present "church":


Article VI
Of the Sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for salvation

Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the holy Scripture, we do understand those Canonical books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.

Article XVIII
Of obtaining eternal Salvation only by the Name of Christ

They also are to be had accursed that presume to say, That every man shall be saved by the Law or Sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that Law, and the light of Nature. For holy Scripture doth set out unto us only the Name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved.

Article XIX
Of the Church

The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in the which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ’s ordinance in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same. . . .

Article XX
Of the Authority of the Church

The Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies, and authority in Controversies of Faith: And yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain anything contrary to God’s Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore, although the Church be a witness and a keeper of holy Writ, yet, as it ought not to decree any thing against the same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of Salvation.

[Kolokotronis]

"Congregations exist because they are in communion with the bishop of a diocese, through recognition by diocesan governing bodies (diocesan synods, councils, or conventions)"

Silly woman doesn't understand what "communion" means. I think it is undoubtedly true that congregations cannot exist unless they are under the omophorion of a bishop, but that has nothing to do with "being in communion". That is a relationship among bishops.

This woman is correct about the canons of The Church, of which she is demonstrably NOT a part, that jumping diocesan boundries is forbidden. Indeed, a bishop who does that must be removed. But those canons presuppose communion between the bishops in question. If Archbishop Akinola and Bishop Lee are not in communion, then Akinola has committed no offense. If they are, then Akinola has indeed committed a very serious offense. The same goes for the other non revisionist bishops who have come into the TEC "territory".

[Huber]

This truly sounds like something out of Pravda.

[xJones]

Ancient precedent (from as early as the fourth century) in the Church ...

Holy moly, did anybody ever tell that idiot what the ancient church of 100 AD through this day has always taught about homosexuality? Oddly enough, it's still condemned in Holy Scriptures in anyone's Bible, Protestant, Catholic or Orthodox. If she's going to go citing the ancient church, she'd better do a little more homework, and a little less assets grabbing.

[WashingtonSource]

The Episcopal boundary Nazi speaks

[Peanut Gallery]

Congregations exist because they are in communion with the bishop of a diocese, through recognition by diocesan governing bodies (diocesan synods, councils, or conventions).

Methinks she needs review Virginia's history? What came first, the chicken or the egg? In this case, the congregation preexisted the diocese AND the national church.

This lady looses more and more respect everyday. I hope she doesn't learn how to keep her mouth shut, because people NEED to hear her apostasy in order to make the leap of faith that these VA churches are making.

[Honorary Serb]

The recent decisions by some members of congregations in Virginia to leave the Episcopal Church and ally with the Anglican Church of Nigeria have no cognizance in our polity. Ancient precedent (from as early as the fourth century) in the Church requires bishops to respect diocesan boundaries, and to refrain from crossing into or acting officially in dioceses other than their own. As a Church we cannot and will not work to subvert that ancient precedent by facilitating the establishment of congregations which are purportedly responsible to bishops in other parts of the Anglican Communion within the diocesan boundaries of the Episcopal Church.

What if a congregation were under a bishop who became Arian or Muhammedan, and it wanted to be under an orthodox bishop? Would that make a difference in "boundary jumping"?

It seems to me that becoming "UN Millennium Goals-ian" is analogous to becoming Arian or even Muhammedan.

[altura]

She's quite the tactful lady, isn't she?

[lightman]

It seems to me that becoming "UN Millennium Goals-ian" is analogous to becoming Arian or even Muhammedan.

And certainly a breach of the First Commandment. The UN MDG has become the guiding priciple, center, and focus for ++Katherine. If that doesn't define an idol, I don't know what does.

[kaehurowing]

When you can't face the Living God, you make up a false one.

[Huber]

You think that she could have recalled the "reformation" in England for precedent in this matter. I don't recall too many English Cathedrals or Abbeys being returned to the Pope.

[Tax-chick]

In this case, the congregation preexisted the diocese AND the national church.

Excellent point!