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BISHOP OHL REVERSES HIMSELF. NOW CONDEMNS AAC AND NETWORK
By David W. Virtue
The Bishop of Northwest Texas, Wallis Ohl has written a letter to his clergy reversing himself in his earlier support of the letters written by a group of orthodox bishops to the Archbishop of Canterbury and to Frank Griswold, ECUSA Presiding Bishop.
Bishop Ohl sent a letter to the clergy of Northwest Texas denying everything and reversing himself in his support of the AAC and the Network. VirtueOnline has received a copy of the letter from an anonymous clergy spouse.
In the letter dated April 25, 2005 Ohl wrote, "I am sure you are aware by now that I signed on to a letter to the Presiding Bishop and the Archbishop of Canterbury on April 6, 2005. The prime concern for me was the impending meeting of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church and our lack of recommendation from the March meeting of the House of Bishops to address the sending of delegates to the Anglican Consultative Council in June 2005.
"The Primates Communique of February had asked that we not send our representatives to the ACC. In my reflections following our March meeting, this was my main concern. It was my hope that Bishop Griswold would recommend to Executive Council that we not send our delegates, at least as voting members. You might also want to notice the signatories include more than the "usual suspects," and I understand that others have asked to sign on as well.
"On April 13th, the Council did meet and voted to send our delegates as observers only, not as voting members. We also asked the PB to set up the commission requested at General Convention 2003 following the approval of the election of the Rev. Canon Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire.
"The letter to Archbishop Williams reiterated much of the same concern. A request for a face-to-face meeting was extended in order to bring a perspective that may not be provided by those who advise the ABC. There is absolutely no desire to separate from the Episcopal Church in this letter or the one to Bishop Griswold.
"I was as surprised as anyone, and a bit angry, to see the public display of what was intended as private communication. I do not know who "leaked" these letters to The Living Church, but whoever did so did it without my permission, or as far as I can determine the permission of anyone who signed it.
"I want to apologize to everyone. First, to those who think I have either equivocated on earlier positions or dissembled in communication regarding my position vis a vis the Episcopal Church. Let me state as unequivocally as possible: I am an Episcopalian and have absolutely no intention of leaving the Episcopal Church, much less trying to take the Diocese of Northwest Texas out of the Episcopal Church. I am not interested in joining the Anglican Communion Network, the American Anglican Council, or any other group that springs up in the future. I believe the basis of our/my faith is contained in the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed, and that all things necessary for salvation is contained in the Old and New Testaments. "
Second, to those who think I am moving to a more "conservative-friendly" position, I have not changed my mind. I still do not agree with the election of Bishop Robinson, but I am not fomenting rebellion in any shape or form. If you think this makes me a "weak bishop", so be it.
"I understand that a public response is pending from some of the signatories. I will not be a part of that group. My present concern was taken care of on April 13th."
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