FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 2, 2003
Contact: Bruce Mason
202-296-5360
202-250-0996 (cell)
[This statement was read at the Consecration by The Rt. Rev. David Bena, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Albany.]
In keeping with our consecration pledge to guard the faith, we, the undersigned bishops are registering our objection to the consecration of a person whose "chosen lifestyle" is incompatible with Scripture and the teaching of this church.
We endorse the assessment of the Primates of the Communion who wrote that as a result of this consecration:
"...The future of the Communion itself will be put in jeopardy. In this case, the ministry of this one bishop will not be recognised by most of the Anglican world, and many provinces are likely to consider themselves to be out of Communion with the Episcopal Church (USA). This will tear the fabric of our Communion at its deepest level, and may lead to further division on this and further issues as provinces have to decide in consequence whether they can remain in communion with provinces that choose not to break communion with the Episcopal Church (USA)."
All Christians, and bishops in particular, are called to guard the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God... [to grow] "to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
It is impossible to affirm a candidate for bishop and symbol of unity whose very consecration is dividing the whole Anglican Communion.
We also join with the Primates in re-affirming the resolutions made by the bishops of the Anglican Communion gathered at the Lambeth Conference in 1998 on issues of human sexuality as having moral force and commanding the respect of the Communion as its present position on these issues. Proceeding with this consecration clearly stands at odds with that teaching.
This consecration poses a dramatic contradiction to the historic faith and discipline of the Church. We join with the majority of the bishops in the Communion and will not recognize it. We also declare our grief at the actions of those who are engaging in this schismatic act. This action is a departure from Holy Scripture, from the clear historic teaching of the Church, from the moral imperative of Lambeth Conference of Bishops 1998, and from the fervent plea of the Primates of the Communion.
Signed,
[Bishops outiside the Episcopal Church]
William Anderson, Bishop of Caledonia
Andrew Atagotaaluk, Bishop of the Arctic
Benjamin Arreak, Suffragan Bishop of Nunavik (Arctic)
Charles Arthurson, Suffragan Bishop of Saskatchewan
Anthony Burton, Bishop of Saskatchewan
Terrence Buckle, Bishop of the Yukon
Ronald Ferris, Bishop of Algoma
Donald Harvey, Bishop of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador
Paul Idlout, Suffragan Bishop of Keewatin and the High Arctic Larry
Robertson, Suffragan Bishop for the Western and Central Arctic
[Bishops with jurisdiction in The Episcopal Church]
[Suffragans and Assistants]
David Bena, Bishop Suffragan of Albany
Hugo Pina-Lopez, Assisting Bishop of Central Florida
Henry Scriven, Assistant Bishop of Pittsburgh
William Skilton, Bishop Suffragen of South Carolina
[Retired bishops]
C. Fitzsimmons Alison, South Carolina (retired)
C. William Frey, Colorado (retired)
Philip Elder, Windward Islands (retired)
Alden Hathaway, Pittsburgh (retired)
Edward MacBurney, Quincy (retired)
Earl McArthur, West Texas (retired)
Donald Parsons, Quincy (retired)
William Wantland, Eau Clare (retired)
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