wfn.org | Episcopal presiding bishop explains New Jersey situation

[Daphne Mack <dmack@dfms.org>]

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Kathryn McCormick
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99-045
Griswold writes to bishops to explain resignation of bishop in New
Jersey 
by James Solheim
(ENS) Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold wrote March 16 to the bishops
of the church to explain the resignation of Bishop Joe Morris Doss in
the Diocese of New Jersey.

After years of controversy and polarization, Doss resigned at the
diocesan convention March 12, expressing regrets that he would not be
the one to lead the diocese into the new millennium.

"As presiding bishop I am grateful that the leadership of the diocese
and Joe were able to reach an agreement that may lead to healing and
reconciliation," Griswold wrote. He revealed the details of the
arrangement, based on a sabbatical until September 30, 2001. "The
financial package is one of generosity and recognition that Joe was
underpaid while he was the active bishop of New Jersey."

The terms include full salary and benefits until retirement, additional
payments to his pension after retirement, educational costs for his
children, payments for a mortgage, an automobile and moving expenses, as
well as a payment of $100,000 "payable at any time within the next three
years at the bishop's request." Value of the package was estimated at
about $1.2 million.

"At the request of the diocesan leadership, the Presiding Bishop's
Office will immediately begin discussing an appropriate interim bishop
to serve as soon as possible and until a new bishop is elected after
October 1, 2001," Griswold wrote. "Everyone knows that pain and
brokenness will not disappear overnight, but that with the prayers of
the whole church and with the commitment of the people of New Jersey,
God's grace will lead to reconciliation and wholeness."

Griswold quoted Bishop Clay Matthews of the Office for Pastoral
Development, who represented him at the convention: "There are no
victors-but rather a people who, like the Hebrews in the wilderness and
the disciples on the road to Jerusalem, look to an uncertain future
while trusting in God to guide us so that we can and see and respond to
the opportunities for healing and reconciliation."

Pointing out that Doss' decision took "great courage," Griswold
concluded his letter by asking that "reconciliation and healing may come
in the Diocese of New Jersey" and that the future for the Doss family
"may be a time of recovery and blessing."
--James Solheim is director of the Office of News and Information for
the Episcopal Church.