Fort
Worth Convention Endorses
Affiliation with Southern Cone
by
Steve Warning
By margins of more than three-to-one, the annual convention approved nine
significant changes to the constitution and canons in the Diocese of Fort
Worth. Convention met Nov. 16-17 in Fort Worth.
Attendance in the visitor's gallery outnumbered the 206 clergy and lay
delegates registered to vote. Debate was extended and cordial on most
of the proposed legislation, which removed the diocese from the authority
of General Convention. Separately, convention unanimously approved by
voice vote a resolution endorsing an invitation to affiliate with the
Anglican Province of the Southern Cone. There were several abstentions
from that resolution, however.
At a press conference at the conclusion of convention, Fort Worth Bishop
Jack Iker said the decisions made at this convention are preliminary and
will require ratification by another convention before they take effect.
Guests to convention included the Rt. Rev'd Frank Lyons, Bishop of Bolivia
in the Southern Cone, and the Rt. Rev'd William Wantland, retired Bishop
of Eau Claire. Bishop Lyons answered questions about the constitution
and canons of the Province of the Southern Cone. Bishop Wantland offered
a historical summary of the founding of The Episcopal Church, noting that
the formation of dioceses preceded the formation of General Convention
in 1789.
Bishop Wantland's remarks were offered in response to objections from
several convention delegates that individuals can and do leave The Episcopal
Church, but parishes and dioceses cannot. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts
Schori has frequently said words to the same effect in interviews and
court testimony. Bishop Iker later responded to the statement.
"You will find that statement no place anywhere in the constitution and
canons," he said. "That statement comes from the communications officer
of [former Presiding Bishop] Frank Griswold who circulated it as a memo
shortly after the 2003 General Convention where Gene Robinson was confirmed
as Bishop of New Hampshire. Since when does a memo from the communications
officer of the Presiding Bishop set policy for The Episcopal Church?
"It is my belief that we voluntarily form an association with the General
Convention," he said. "If we decide to end that association, we shall."
Other objections dealt with the lack of a provision in the budget for
the possibility of litigation by the national church. Bishop Iker also
responded to that concern.
"I wouldn't want to assess congregations for possible litigation out of
the operating budget," he said. "My experience is that people don't give
to budgets. They commit to mission and ministry. I am confident that if
litigation arises, the people will come forward and provide assistance.
Obviously we won't spend money we don't have, but we can't very well budget
for the possibility of litigation."
Bishop Iker stated at the concluding press conference that "several key
families of the diocesan family have come forward and assured us of their
financial support in the event of litigation. The first and most important
goal is to avoid litigation."
—Steve Waring is the news editor of The Living Church. From that publication's Web site.