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Anglicans United Leader Blasts Schori over rejection of Lawrence in SC Decision
Presiding Bishop has thrown down the gauntlet.
by Todd H. Wetzel
We noted with deep sorrow the decision of Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to declare the election of the Very Rev. Mark Lawrence void.
Rev. Lawrence was duly elected to serve as the Bishop of South Carolina.
Her decision, though technically correct, based on canonical changes recently published, lacks both the grace and magnanimity so many of us had hoped she would display. Why she chose not to grant a simple extension of time to permit electronic consents to be converted to written consents conveyed by overnight mail is a mystery. A majority of consents was secured prior to the deadline, in spirit, albeit not in fact.
In light of her recent consent to the Communique issued by the Archbishop's Council in Dar es Salaam, she portrayed a person willing to be there and capable of expressing due consideration to all parties in the fragmenting Episcopal Church (TEC). Her actions betray that spirit. That she chose not to act on behalf of Mark Lawrence and the Diocese of South Carolina adds fuel to the fires of disintegration and provides further evidence that she does not intend to be the Presiding Bishop for ALL Episcopalians. Her action is both tragic and misguided.
On the eve of the House of Bishops' meeting in Navasota, Texas - ostensibly to consider the Communique from Dar - the Presiding Bishop has thrown down the gauntlet. One can almost hear her cries of "I'm so sorry I had to do this," but her action betrays a steely-eyed resolve of, "I've got you now."
In the light of the response of the President of the Standing Committee of South Carolina, Anglicans United asks that she reconsider her action, or resign her office on the basis that she cannot exhibit the stature and integrity required of her election. This ministry can only hope that she will step back from this action, sheath her sword and speak the word we pray she is yet capable of saying: "Come, let us reason together."
----The Rev. Todd H. Wetzel is Executive Director of Anglicans United & Latimer Press
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