Episcopal News Service January 26, 2008
San Joaquin Standing Committee not recognized as official, Presiding Bishop says
Support pledged to continuing Episcopalians
By Pat McCaughan
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on January 25 wrote to inform each member of the standing committee elected at the last convention of the Fresno-based Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin that she does not recognize them as the standing committee of that diocese. She also assured continuing Episcopalians of financial and legal support in reconstituting the diocese.
Jefferts Schori, in a letter
(http://www.episcopalchurch.org/documents/San_Joaquin-112608.pdf) delivered January 26 to the committee's eight members, cited their unanimous vote to disaffiliate with The Episcopal Church (TEC) and their "attempt to organize as the standing committee of an entity that identifies itself as an Anglican Diocese of the Province of the Southern Cone," actions which violate church canons.
"In light of your recent actions, I find that you have been and are unable to well and faithfully fulfill your duties as members of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin under Canon I.17.8," she wrote. Canon I.17.8 provides that anyone accepting an office in the church "shall well and faithfully perform the duties of that office in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of this Church and of the Diocese in which the office is being exercised."
"Accordingly, with this letter I inform you that I do not recognize you as the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin," she wrote. "I regret the decisions that you have made to attempt to take the Diocese out of The Episcopal Church and the necessary consequences of these actions."
The letter was delivered by overnight mail the day of "Moving Forward, Welcoming All" a gathering of faithful Episcopalians at the Church of the Saviour in Hanford, about 30 miles south of Fresno.
Online viewers were invited to watch streaming video coverage, available at: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife
Highlights of the event were to include videotaped greetings from Jefferts Schori, and addresses by House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson, and the Rev. Canon Robert Moore, who was appointed the interim pastoral presence by the presiding bishop and who just concluded five days of meetings with remaining Episcopalians. Meanwhile, next steps are emerging.
"The Presiding Bishop has asked for the formulation of a broad based steering committee on the local level who will work with her and her Office in a variety of ways, including working with her on a process for the calling of a special convention," said the Rev. Dr. Charles Robertson, canon to the Presiding Bishop.
"This convention will, among other things, elect a new Standing Committee and make provision for an interim Bishop. It is unclear when the special convention will be called," Robertson said.
The response comes in part to earlier reports that Bishop John-David Schofield of San Joaquin had closed mission congregations and fired vicars who did not support his move away from the Episcopal Church.
"The Episcopal Church is prepared to provide financial support to those mission priests who are dismissed and remain loyal to the Church and to assist in expenses related to the reorganization of the Diocese," Robertson added.
He said TEC "will also assist local diocesan leaders in bringing any necessary lawsuits to protect diocesan and parish property for the mission of the Church. It is important for the clergy and laity to know that they are supported in their ongoing mission and ministry in San Joaquin."
Members of the standing committee could not be reached for comment about the presiding bishop's letter. They include: the Very Rev. Canon James L. Snell, rector of St. Columba's, Fresno; the Very Rev. Richard James, rector of St. Paul's, Visalia; the Rev. Michael E. McClenaghan, rector of St. Paul's, Modesto; and the Rev. Robert G. Eaton, rector of St. John's, Tulare. Laity included: Kim Robinson of Visalia; Ted Yumoto of Stockton; Tom Wright of Modesto and Stevie Oates of Bakersfield.
On January 11, Jefferts Schori inhibited Schofield from continuing to serve as bishop after a Title IV review committee determined he had abandoned the communion.
He has the options of recanting his position, renouncing his orders or declaring that the Title IV assertions are false.
If a majority of bishops concur with the Title IV review committee's findings during the March 7-13 House of Bishops meeting at Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas, the Presiding Bishop will depose Schofield and declare the episcopate of the San Joaquin diocese vacant.
Unconfirmed reports also surfaced earlier in the week on various websites that Schofield has fired six of the eight standing committee members who had supported the convention vote, but were beginning to question realignment with the Southern Cone. Because of those doubts, Schofield allegedly had determined they were no longer able to serve.
Jefferts Schori held out the possibility of reconciliation to standing committee members. "A future declaration of adherence to the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, and, for clergy, a reaffirmation of the Declaration of Conformity, will once again make you eligible for election to office in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin," she said in the letter to standing committee members. "I give thanks for your service in the past, and pray that it may once again be a blessing to this Diocese."
- The Rev. Pat McCaughan is Episcopal Life Media correspondent in Province VIII (http://www.episcopalchurch.org/directory_11135_ENG_HTM.htm) (the Province of the Pacific). She is based in Los Angeles.
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