Bishop Iker Writes His Clergy about TEC's Proposal

To the clergy:

As many of you are aware, the Episcopal News Service today released the contents of a proposal for the Presiding Bishop to appoint a "Primatial Vicar" for the eight APO-requesting dioceses. Earlier this afternoon, a response quoting Bishop Duncan was posted via the Network Web site.

Here are links to both items:

Episcopal News Service story

Anglican Communion Network response

Below is a brief statement from Bishop Iker with his thoughts on the proposal.

Suzanne Gill
Director of Communications

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

While I am grateful for the efforts of those who crafted the proposal, I find it unacceptable and unworkable in its present form.

Perhaps it needs to be clarified that we have not requested someone to serve as “the Presiding Bishop’s designated pastor” to us; we have appealed for an alternative primate. Nor has this appeal been made to the Presiding Bishop, but to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the primates of the Anglican Communion. We expect a suitable response from them at the primates’ Meeting in February.

This new proposal is deficient in that it seeks to reinforce the PB’s authority over us rather than provide an acceptable alternative. We cannot accept a Primatial Vicar appointed by her and accountable to her, who “could” function for her only when so delegated by her. In addition, the provisional nature of the proposal does not meet our needs for a long-term solution to our irreconcilable differences.

Kate wants to keep playing dress up

Kate Schori, has proposed a relationship that would allow her feel like she's playing bishop over the APO Dioceses. If you are interested in reading her drivel be my guest.

As for me I will recall those most eloquent words of General Anthony McAuliffe, "To the German Commander, Nuts!"

Please pray for Pope Benedict XVI

Prayer Thread for His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, on his apostolic journey to Turkey.

"I am not alone. I do not have to carry alone what in truth I could never carry alone. All the Saints of God are there to protect me, to sustain me and to carry me. And your prayers, my dear friends, your indulgence, your love, your faith and your hope accompany me. " My dear friends -- at this moment I can only say: pray for me, that I may learn to love the Lord more and more.

"Pray for me, that I may learn to love his flock more and more -- in other words, you, the holy Church, each one of you and all of you together. Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves. Let us pray for one another, that the Lord will carry us and that we will learn to carry one another."

~from the homily for his installation as the 265th Pope of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, April 25, 2005 "I ask you all to accompany me with prayer that this pilgrimage may bring all the fruits that God desires."

~from the Angelus, November 26, 2006

+Lee's failed ambush

BISHOPS DECLINE INVITATION TO SECOND SUMMIT

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan, Bishop of Pittsburgh, and the Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker, Bishop of Fort Worth, have declined an invitation from the Rt. Rev. Peter Lee, Bishop of Virginia, to attend a second Summit Meeting of bishops requesting Alternate Primatial Oversight with the Presiding Bishop and two co-conveners, Bishop Lee and the Rt. Rev. John Lipscomb, Bishop of Southwest Florida. In fact, none of the bishops of those dioceses that have requested APO will be attending. The proposed meeting was scheduled to begin today.

The first Summit, convened at the request of the Rt. Rev. and Most Hon. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, was held in September at the offices of the Church Pension Group in New York City.

Bishop Iker enumerated the reasons for the decision in a reply he sent to Bishop Lee on Tuesday, Nov. 21, on behalf of Bishop Duncan and himself. The full text of the reply is as follows:


Dear Peter,

I am responding to your e-mail from yesterday on behalf of Bob Duncan and myself regarding the proposed meeting for November 27th. He and I have agreed that the following points must be made at this time:

1. Our position has been the same since the last day of our New York meeting back in September. We will not attend another meeting “to continue the conversation” unless there is a specific proposal on the table to provide APO. Apparently this is not the case for next Monday. You speak of a skeleton, but nothing has been shared with either of us. We assume the other side has seen your proposal.

2. We made a specific proposal to the Archbishop of Canterbury back in July, and we shared this document with you and John Lipscomb as the conveners of the September meeting. You did not share it with all of the other participants at that time, and it was never discussed.

3. We note that David Booth Beers has been quoted in the press as telling the meeting of The Episcopal Majority several days ago that Alternative Primatial Oversight is not going to be provided. The Presiding Bishop’s office has not denied his claim, and we have concluded that she agrees with David’s assertion.

4. We agree that mediation is required at this time to move toward a negotiated settlement. The time frame you propose for the 27th is insufficient for significant progress to be made in this regard, and we would need additional parties in attendance in order to participate in such negotiations.

5. We believe the situation has deteriorated significantly in recent weeks with threats of lawsuits against bishops appealing for APO and of declaring “vacant sees.” We note that we are now tagged as “problem dioceses” and that we will continue to be monitored by the property task force headed by Bishop Sauls. We also note that this task force is going to cultivate relationships with persons in our dioceses who oppose the position taken by our diocesan conventions. Such posturing is meant to
intimidate us and does not promote dialogue and conversation about the matters before us. I have been advised that legal counsel should accompany me to any future meetings with representatives from 815 or the General Convention.

Should you elect to proceed with your meeting on Monday, please know that you will be in our prayers and that Bob and I wish you good success.

Sincerely,
+Jack L. Iker


Contacts: Suzanne Gill
Director of Communications
The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth
sgill@fwepiscopal.org

Peter Frank
Director of Communications
The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh
frank@pgh.anglican.org

Would someone please wake Bishop Stanton

Dear Bishop Stanton,

Bishop Iker and the Diocese of Fort Worth have taken steps to regain the church of my birth. It’s now safe for you to tag along; no one is saying you have to take a leadership position.

Is the final year of your pension so important that you would stand by while Vicky Gene, Kate and the rest of the girls drive the final nail?

Fort Worth Stands Firm...Again

24th Diocesan Convention“Continue in the Apostles’ Teaching and Fellowship”

Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17 & 18, 2006
at St. Peter & St. Paul Episcopal Church, Arlington

18 November 2006

Election Results

Resolution 1: The Appeal for Alternate Primatial Oversight • adopted
Clerical order: 51 for (80%) • 12 against • 2 not voting
Lay order: 102 for (82%) • 21 against • 1 abstention

Be it resolved this 24th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth endorses and affirms the appeal made to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates of the Anglican Communion by the Standing Committee and Bishop of our diocese for Alternative Primatial Oversight and pastoral care.

Resolution 2: Withdrawing Consent for Membership in Province VII • adopted
Clerical order: 51 for (80%) • 12 against • 2 not voting
Lay order: 98 for (79%) • 25 against • 3 abstentions

Be it resolved this 24th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth endorses, affirms and ratifies the decision of the Standing Committee of this diocese on July 24, 2006, to withdraw its consent, pursuant to Article VII of the Constitution of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, to be included in the Seventh Province of the Episcopal Church.

Resolution 3: Acknowledging the Minority • substitute resolutions adopted

The resolution, as submitted, was ruled out of order by the Resolutions Committee, which introduced two substitutes. At the Bishop's request, substitute resolution 3B was voted on first.

It was adopted unanimously by voice vote

Be it resolved that this 24th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth recognizes that a minority of Episcopalians in this diocese do not agree with the decisions made by the canonical authorities of the diocese (that is, the Bishop, Standing Committee, Diocesan Convention, and Executive Council), and that they remain valued members of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth.

Substitute resolution 3A went to a simple ballot (not by orders) after the chair was unable to determine either by voice vote or by standing vote which side had prevailed.

The result was 106 for • 72 against • 11 abstentions

The text is below; boldface type indicates words added by amendment from the floor.

Be it resolved that this 24th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth establish the following procedure for a parish o withdraw its membership from the Anglican Communion Network of Dioceses and Parishes: Withdrawl may be effected by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the vestry, followed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the qualified voting members (as proscribed in Canon 26, Section 2 of the diocesan Canons) of a parish at either an Annual Meeting of the parish or a special meeting of the parish as defined in Canon 26, Section 3. Due notice of such a meeting shall be in accordance with Canon 26, Sections 1 and 3.

Resolution 4: Listening Process • substitute resolution adopted
It was passed by voice vote

Resolution 4 as submitted was ruled out of order by the Resolutions Committee, which introduced the following substitute.

Be it resolved that this 24th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth affirms and endorses Resolution 1:10, Lambeth 1998, affirmed by the Primates Meetings 2003, 2005 and further affirmed by the Windsor Report, in its entirety and recognizes it to be the official teaching of the Anglican Communion on Human Sexuality.

Article 12: Deputies to General Convention • adopted by voice vote

The Annual Convention in the second year preceding a stated meeting of General Convention shall elect by ballot two (2) Priests or Deacons and two (2) Lay Persons as Deputies to General Convention. The Annual Convention in the year preceding a stated meeting of General Convention shall elect by ballot two (2) Priests or Deacons and two (2) Lay Persons as Alternate Deputies. Deputies and Alternate Deputies shall take office on the first day of January in the year in which the General Convention is to be held and shall hold office until their successors take office. They shall possess the same qualifications as members of The Standing Committee and shall be elected by a concurrent majority of both orders.

The Bishop shall assign the Alternate Deputies according to the order of their election to fill any vacancy in the deputation. In case there be no Bishop or he is unable to act, this power shall be exercised by The Standing Committee.

Article 13: See City and Cathedral • adopted unanimously by voice vote

The City of Fort Worth is hereby declared to be the See City of this Diocese.
The Bishop and a Parish may agree to the designation of that Parish as The Cathedral under such terms as both approve.

Canon 29: Business Methods • adopted unanimously by voice vote

29.1 e. All Parishes, Missions, Diocesan Schools and institutions shall maintain insurance protection for personnel, property and liability according to the minimum standards currently in effect by the Diocesan Risk Management Committee. All Parishes, Missions, Diocesan Schools and institutions shall make their records of insurance and total insured values available from time to time for inspection and audit by an appointee of the Diocesan Risk Management Committee.

Canon 43: Holy Matrimony • adopted by voice vote

Section 43.1 As used in this Diocese, the terms “Holy Matrimony” and “Marriage” defined as the exclusive physical and spiritual union of one man and one woman, by mutual consent of the heart, mind and will, and with the intent that it be lifelong.

Section 43.2 The blessing of same sex unions is prohibited in churches, missions and congregations of this Diocese; and clergy resident or licensed in this Diocese are prohibited from performing such blessings in any venue.

Clerical member of Standing Committee • Fr. Thomas Hightower
Lay member of Standing Committee • Walter Virden III
Lay member of the University of the South Board of Trustees • Walter Virden IV
Clerical member of the Ecclesiastical Trial Court • Fr. Richard McHenry
Lay member of the Ecclesiastical Trial Court • Thom Murrell

Could you run that by me again???

Someone please explain to Mrs Schori, that November 1 is All Saints Day, not April Fools Day...

Please note, the AP mistakenly referred to Mrs Schori as a Bishop.

Church Head Doubts Jesus is Only Way
Associated Press
November 1, 2006

CBNNews.com - NEW YORK (AP) - In an Associated Press interview, Mrs Katharine Schori said, "If we insist that we know the one way to God, we've put God in a very small box."

The Bible declares that "in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form."

But Schori says she doesn't believe that "one person can have the fullness of truth in him or herself."

Instead, she says, "Truth is, like God, more than any one person can encompass."

Eight Episcopal dioceses have asked Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, who heads the world Anglican Communion, to put them under a leader other than Mrs Schori.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights reserved.