wfn.org | Massachusetts diocese issues clarification about Bishops' Meeting in London

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

Wednesday, September 8, 2004

Massachusetts diocese issues clarification about Bishops' Meeting in London

ENS 090804-1

[ENS] Four United States Episcopal bishops will have the opportunity to 
engage in discussion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, 
next week on a range of issues related to the Episcopal Church and the 
Anglican Communion.

The meeting was first discussed among the group in April as an opportunity 
for two newer bishops and two established bishops to meet with the 
Archbishop of Canterbury and was subsequently scheduled in June.

Recent media reports have erroneously stated that Bishops Thomas Shaw of 
Massachusetts, Robert O'Neill of Colorado, Mark Hollingsworth Jr. of Ohio 
and Don Johnson of West Tennessee were already in London. One report also 
erroneously named retired Bishop Clark Grew of Ohio as part of the group.

"The bishops will be meeting as a group to hear each others' perspectives 
and to discuss what is happening in their respective dioceses on issues 
facing the church today," said Bishop Shaw.

"The bishops themselves have taken differing views on varying issues and 
believe that such a meeting is an important opportunity for mutually 
supportive and inclusive dialogue, which is the hallmark of the Episcopal 
Church and the strength of the Anglican Communion," added Bishop Hollingsworth.

The bishops are committed to ministering to their congregations, some 
members of which inevitably hold differing points of view on issues facing 
the church. The London meeting is an opportunity to reflect on the full 
spectrum of opinions facing local dioceses in the United States.