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NEW HAMPSHIRE: Church of the Redeemer Walks Away from ECUSA
By Jerry DeLemus
June 24, 2004
Following months of unsuccessful negotiations and discussions with V. Gene Robinson, Church of the Redeemer, Rochester, NH made the difficult decision to walk away from ECUSA and their church building last night. The Vestry and parish family of the Redeemer met with V. Gene Robinson Wednesday, June 23, 2004 to discuss pastoral leadership of the parish. When the meeting ended in a deadlock, parishioners prayed and voted to leave the building that has been their church home for 102 years. With that vote, the parish and vestry agreed to stay intact as a united body and worship as a non-ECUSA parish.
“Our church remained united in principle and action last night, “said Jerry DeLemus, senior warden. We remained true to the authority of Holy Scripture and the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and the faithful parish of Church of the Redeemer stood firm to their calling.”
The people of Redeemer have consistently declared that they cannot recognize Robinson as bishop, based on scripture and canon law. While Robinson made limited concessions, he insisted that Redeemer fully recognize him as bishop and maintained total authority over selection of clergy and church leadership.
When the vote was taken, it is highly significant that the Vestry never resigned nor has the congregation disbanded. Rather, the 34 church members who voted to leave ECUSA affirmed the sitting Vestry as their leadership, left their keys with Robinson and walked out, leaving Robinson with 3 dissenting parishioners. Church of the Redeemer will seek a temporary facility until they find a permanent church home.
“The pain of the congregation in that room was palpable, and the decision was clearly wrenching” said the Rev. William Murdoch, Dean of the Northeast Convocation of the Anglican Communion Network. “I have tried to support these good and faithful Episcopalians through months of agony. They need encouragement now more than ever as they enter a season of grief and discernment about the future.”
Robinson’s consecration and episcopal oversight extend well beyond New Hampshire and are key issues before the Lambeth Commission. In a statement released this week, Archbishop Drexel Gomez, a member of the Commission, argued that V. Gene Robinson’s consecration could be annulled in an effort to preserve the Communion. In a paper presented to the Commission, he called the consecration “invalid." “Recognition that Canon Robinson was never properly consecrated suggests a possible way forward out of the crisis currently facing the Anglican Communion because of the actions of the Episcopal Church,” the statement read.
All 38 Primates unanimously agreed to the need for “adequate provision for Episcopal oversight” in the statement following their historic meeting in October 2003. The House of Bishops Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (DEPO) plan has been decried by many as being produced with no lay or clergy input and having as its chief component virtually mandatory “reconciliation.” Clearly reconciliation cannot take place among individuals diametrically opposed with regard to basic theological issues.
For more information on Church of the Redeemer, contact Richard Ellwood, Press Advocate for the Anglican Communion Network at 603-883-8430, or senior warden Jerry DeLemus at 603-335-5119.
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