Now, in what is absolutely stupendous hypocrisy, the Episcopal House of Bishops - which has just announced its intention to defy the rest of the 77-million Anglican Communion by supporting consecration of a self-announced sodomist bishop - is preparing to bring to ecclesiastical trial - and possible deposition (unfrocking) - a retired Episcopal bishop in Topeka, Kansas.

Can you imagine subjecting an 86-year old bishop to an ecclesiastical trial and possible unfrocking?

Bishop William Cox is the one-time vicar and then rector of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross in Cumberland, Md., after which he was elected Suffragan (assistant) Bishop of the Diocese of Maryland.

After eight years, he was called to be assistant bishop of Oklahoma for eight more years. He then became an assistant bishop to two bishops of Texas; and also served the parish of St. Matthews in Austin, Texas.

Now, the Episcopal magazine, The Living Church, has reported from a meeting of the House of Bishops in Navasota, Texas, that Bishop Cox will be put on trial by a court of other Episcopal bishops - on charges that he illicitly performed sacramental acts without the permission of the Episcopal Bishop of Kansas, the Rt. Rev. Dean Wolf.

Wolf and another prelate, Robert Moody, Bishop of Oklahoma, preferred charges against Bishop Cox.

And for what has he been theologically indicted?

At Christ Church in Overland Park, Kan., in June, 2005, Cox ordained two priests and a deacon. One month later he officiated at a service of confirmation. Bishop Cox was asked to ordain these three clergy by the ranking bishop of Uganda.

Since the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas has accepted an agreement from Christ Churc h - of $1 million to pay for church property and clergy release from any obligation to the Episcopal Bishop of Kansas - this putting of Bishop Cox on trial might well result in a lawsuit for breach of contract.

I telephoned this wonderfully congenial former Maryland bishop.

He said he had not yet received any formal charges from the House of Bishops - but only a notification from The Living Church about what will take place.

He seemed entirely unshaken, as he did to Episcopal columnist David Virtue, who reported the following on the Internet: "I will face an ecclesiastical trial because I confirmed and ordained two faithful priests in 2005."

He went on to note the irony of no such trial for heretical Bishop Spong, "but they want to go after an old bishop who wants only to remain faithful to the faith once delivered."

Asked where they would hold his trial, Bishop Cox said he didn't know. "I haven't been notified but I am sure it has happened. The Pony Express has not arrived!"

"This is not a question of the violation of the faith but a question of geographic jurisdictions and pure legalism. It is about process, not the faith."

"I am 86, and they are trying to hound me into the grave, but I am going to outlive them," he said with a chuckle.

"If I am found guilty they can't put me in jail, they can't strip me of my bishopric; orders are for life. All they can do is prohibit me from ministering in the Episcopal Church. The real and deeper question is, who is going to be left to minister to faithful orthodox believing Episcopalians in the coming months and years?"

The bishop said that retired bishops can no longer minister to people without the permission of the sitting diocesan bishop. "That is too much. The House of Bishops needs to look at that. We should be able to minister to the needs of orthodox folk with the authority of the Primates."

Bishop Cox, during my telephone conversation with him, recalled with joy his life of ministering in Maryland, both as priest and bishop.

He made no mention of having received any expression of support from the Diocese of Maryland's present bishop, Robert Ihlof. For all Maryland Episcopalians who knew and loved this good man William Cox, their denomination's incredible treatment of him must be appalling.

---Les Kinsolving hosts a daily talk show for WCBM in Baltimore. His radio commentaries are syndicated nationally. He is White House correspondent for WorldNetDaily. His show can be heard on the Internet 9-11 p.m. Eastern each weekday. Before going into broadcasting, Kinsolving was a newspaper reporter and columnist - twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for his commentary.