LONG ISLAND: BISHOP WALKER FIRES CATHEDRAL DEAN

By David W. Virtue

The following is the official letter from the Bishop of Long Island, Orris Walker to the Clergy and Lay Leadership of the Diocese of Long Island:

On June 10th, the Cathedral Chapter was informed that I requested the resignation of the Dean, The Very Rev. James L. Cardone.

This is not a decision that I have taken lightly and it is one taken with considerable self-examination, consultation and prayer.

As our working relationship and visions grew more disparate, our mutual ministries and responsibilities grew incompatible and it became obvious that we developed a lack of mutual confidence to the point where I concluded that an attempt at reconciliation was not possible.

Dean Cardone will leave his position July 1, 2004. In the interim period, I have asked Bishop Michel to assume oversight of the spiritual and temporal life of the Cathedral.

Please be assured that this decision in no way diminishes my support of the ministries of the Cathedral, its congregation and the capital Campaign now underway.

I ask for your prayers for the Diocese, its cathedral family, Bishop Michel, Dean Cardone and family and yes, me.

Signed

The Rt. Reverend Orris G. Walker, Jr. Bishop of Long Island