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UGANDAN BISHOP LAYS CLAIM TO FLORIDA PARISHES
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
1/17/2006
The Bishop of Madi/West Nile in the Province of Uganda has written a letter to several priests, deacons and vestries formerly in the Diocese of Florida informing them that they have been received and accepted into his diocese and the African province by Letter of Transfer.
The Rt. Rev. Joel Obetia wrote to the priests including the Rev. James McCaslin, Jr., and vestry of All Souls Church, Jacksonville, the Rev. Neil Lebhar and vestry of Redeemer Anglican Church, Jacksonville, the Rev. Lawrence Edward O'Connell, the Rev. Charles Shields Bailey (Deacon), the Rev. George William Hall, Jr., (ret), the Rev. Dorothy Redmond Head (Deacon) saying, "You are all now under my Ecclesiastical Authority as canonical residents of this diocese."
"This will also confirm to you and your vestry that, pursuant to your request, your parish is now a part of this diocese. As your new bishop, I will provide to you and your parishes, where you will continue to serve as rectors, all required episcopal acts and oversight contemplated by our governing documents and traditions. All property of your parish shall remain under your ownership and control."
As we enter this new relationship, as your bishop I ask you to:
* Provide the means and support for the clergy of your parish to attend, at least once per year, our diocesan clergy conference and/or our diocesan synod. A minimum of one lay leader is also strongly encouraged to attend the diocesan synod.
* Prepare to receive regular episcopal visits from me or from another orthodox bishop designated by me, in consultation with you, to make such a visit in my place.
* Establish the tithe as a measure of your giving to the work of this diocese and of the Church in Uganda, with 10 percent thereof being remitted to this diocese and the balance to the Church of the Province of Uganda, to be used under the direction of His Grace, the Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi.
* Work collaboratively to facilitate visits from members of your parishes to this diocese and form this diocese to your parish for mutual fellowship and encouragement, cross-cultural learning, discipleship, and renewed commitment to the mission of Jesus' Great Commission.
I will send you under separate cover, for your study and use, copies of our constitution and canons
The letter is signed:
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Joel Obertia
BISHOP
