wfn.org | COURT FOR TRIAL OF BISHOP ANNOUNCING

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TITLE:COURT FOR TRIAL OF A BISHOP ANNOUNC
April 21, 1996
Episcopal News Service
James Solheim, Director
(212) 922-5385
ens@ecunet.org

BULLETIN--

COURT FOR TRIAL OF A BISHOP ANNOUNCING DECISION ON RIGHTER
CASE ON MAY 15 IN WILMINGTON

     (ENS) The Court for the Trial of a Bishop, convened to deal with "heresy"
charges against Bishop Walter Righter, will announce its decision in
Wilmington,
Delaware, on May 15.
     After morning Eucharist at the Cathedral Church of St. John, the court
will
convene at 11 am. "At that time the court will announce its decisions and
provide its
opinion on motions pending before the court. It will also announce the nature
and
timing of further proceedings to be held before this court in this matter, if
any," said
the order dated April 24. The court will also distribute its written opinion
at that time.
The session should last about two hours. A short press briefing will be held
at the
cathedral after the court recesses. 
     The court met February 27 in Wilmington for a full day of arguments by
lawyers representing Righter and the 10 bishops who filed the charges against
him in
January of 1995. The bishops filed the "presentment" against Righter, accusing
him
of breaking his ordination vows and teaching false doctrine when he ordained a
noncelibate homosexual, Barry Stopfel, to the diaconate in 1990. Righter was
serving
as assistant bishop in the Diocese of Newark at the time.
     The court decision will address the issue of whether or not the church
has a
sufficient doctrinal basis to proceed further with the trial.

NOTE TO THE PRESS:  We will accredit press to cover the May 15 meeting of the
court. Since that session will be held in the cathedral, space may not be the
problem
it was at the February meeting. We will announce the accreditation procedures
next
week. Once again, no cameras will be allowed in the court but are welcome at
the
press briefing in the Great Hall following adjournment.