wfn.org | Presiding Bishop conveys concern about pastoral boundaries

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ACNS 3875     |     USA     |	  26 AUGUST 2004

Presiding Bishop conveys concern about pastoral boundaries, affirms LA 
bishop's ministry of reconciliation

by Bob Williams

 >From the Episcopal News Service (ENS) of the Episcopal Church of the
United States of America (ECUSA)

Emphasizing the Anglican Primates' agreement that "bishops are to
respect the boundaries of one another's dioceses and provinces," the
Presiding Bishop of ECUSA, the Most Revd Frank T Griswold, today sent a
letter of concern to the Archbishop of the Church of the Province of
Uganda, the Most Revd Henry L Orombi, after a third Southern California
congregation yesterday aligned with the Ugandan Diocese of Luweero.

Presiding Bishop Griswold also issued the following statement to media:

"I am saddened by the action of clergy and members of three
congregations in the Diocese of Los Angeles and their desire to separate
themselves from the life of the Episcopal Church. I know how assiduously
Bishop Bruno has sought to be a minister of reconciliation and a pastor
to those of all views within the life of the Diocese of Los Angeles and
its 147 diverse congregations.

"I have written to the Archbishop of the Church of the Province of
Uganda expressing my concern that he claims jurisdiction within the
boundaries of the Episcopal Church. The bishops of the Anglican
Communion and the Primates in their statement of last October have made
it clear that bishops are to respect the boundaries of one another's
dioceses and provinces. Living in communion with one another involves
not only the sharing of a common faith in the Risen Lord but how we
treat and respect one another in the Body of Christ."

The Rt Revd J Jon Bruno, the Bishop of Los Angeles, who today thanked
the Presiding Bishop for his action, continues to emphasize the
importance of reconciliation and the inclusion of all people across the
church. "I hope that this situation is resolved through the openness and
willingness of the people of St James, Newport Beach; All Saints, Long
Beach; and St David's, North Hollywood, to return to the Episcopal
Church," Bishop Bruno told the Episcopal News Service.

"Our diocesan boundaries have been violated by the Primate of Uganda,"
Bishop Bruno said, "even after he agreed to the statement made last
October by all the Primates that they should respect diocesan
boundaries." He added, "I will continue to pray for these people, from
Archbishop Orombi to each parishioner of those congregations."

Bishop Bruno has consistently affirmed the full inclusion of gay and
lesbian people in the life of the church, including the consecration
last year of the Rt Revd Gene Robinson as the Bishop of New Hampshire,
actions that are opposed by the three congregations which have aligned
with the Ugandan diocese.

Bishop Bruno said he was contemplating the situation in relation to the
scripture lessons appointed for 29 August when he will preach during his
regular Sunday visit to St John's Church in Los Angeles.

After receiving word on 24 August that the parish of St David's, North
Hollywood, had voted to align with the Ugandan Diocese of Luweero,
Bishop Bruno said in a statement, "As with the Long Beach and Newport
Beach congregations, I have worked hard in the past for reconciliation
with this parish. It was one of four to which I offered pastoral
oversight by an Episcopal bishop with whom they are in agreement. The
Revd William Thompson, rector of All Saints', Long Beach, declined that
offer two weeks ago on behalf of all four parishes, and assured me of
their continued loyalty to me and to this diocese."

Bishop Bruno further noted in the statement that "the Revd Jose Poch,
rector of St David's, has been temporarily inhibited from exercising the
ministry of a priest. I have offered him and the people of St David's
Church the opportunity to rescind this decision and be reconciled to me,
to the Diocese, and to the Episcopal Church."

The Revd Poch hand-delivered to Bruno on 24 August a letter that reads
as follows, "This is to inform you that the Rector, Wardens and
Vestrymen of St David's Parish in North Hollywood, California, by vote
of its vestry and members has disassociated itself from the Episcopal
Church in the United States of America, and the Diocese of Los Angeles,
and has aligned itself with the Diocese of Luweero, Anglican Province of
Uganda. The Rt Revd Evans M Kisekka of the Diocese of Luweero had also
accepted the Revd Jose A Poch under his ecclesiastical authority.

"We have delivered this letter to you personally in order to honor you
by having you learn of these actions from us instead of from any other
source." [Signed by] The Revd Jose Poch, Rector, St David's Church;
[Signed by] Primi Esparza, Senior Warden, St David's Church.

Mr Poch told ENS today, "I have nothing further to say. I've spoken to
Bishop Bruno. He knows all I have said. I did go and meet with him, and
we had a face-to-face meeting. We presented our letter, and that was it.
We have been at this a long, long time. We've been to every
reconciliation meeting possible, and we cannot do more. We must go
forward."

The parish voted 68-12 on 23 August to align with the Ugandan diocese,
with four abstentions, Mr Poch told the Los Angeles Times. The parish
was founded in 1931 and is reported to have about 200 members.

Representatives of two other Southern California parishes - St Luke's,
La Crescenta, and Christ the King, Santa Barbara - told the Times 24
August that they did not anticipate any action to leave the diocese at
this time, and that they were awaiting the outcome of the report this
fall of the international Lambeth Commission on Communion.

Meanwhile, through a spokeswoman, the Revd William Thompson, rector of
All Saints, Long Beach, and the Revd Praveen Bunyan, rector of St James,
Newport Beach, declined to answer questions posed to them by ENS. The
Revd Canon David C Anderson, president of the American Anglican Council,
is a former rector of St James.

Among the Episcopal Church's 7,300 congregations nationwide, fewer than
10 are known by ENS to have formally left the Church.

- Canon Robert Williams is director of Episcopal News Service and acting
director of communication for the Episcopal Church.

Related news items

Statement from the Archbishop of the Church of the Province of Uganda:

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/articles/38/50/acns3873.cfm

___________________________________________________________________
ACNSlist, published by Anglican Communion News Service, London, is
distributed to more than 7,500 journalists and other readers around
the world.

For subscription INFORMATION please go to:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnslist.html