LOS ANGELES: THIRD PARISH -- ST. DAVID'S -- LEAVES DIOCESE FOR UGANDA

A statement from the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles August 24, 2004

This morning, the rector and senior warden of St. David's Episcopal Church, North Hollywood, hand-delivered to me a letter similar to those issued to me on August 17 by St. James' Church, Newport Beach, and All Saints' Church, Long Beach. The text of that letter follows:

This is to inform you that the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of St. David's Parish in North Hollywood, California by vote of its vestry and members has disassociated itself from the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and the Diocese of Los Angeles, and has aligned itself with the Diocese of Luweero, Anglican Province of Uganda. The Rt. Rev. Evans M. Kisekka of the Diocese of Luweero had also accepted The Rev. Jose A. Poch under his ecclesiastical authority.

We have delivered this letter to you personally in order to honor you by having you learn of these actions from us instead of from any other source.

[Signed by] The Rev. Jose Poch, Rector, St. David's Church [Signed by] Primi Esparza, Senior Warden, St. David's Church

As with the Long Beach and Newport Beach congregations, I have worked hard in the past for reconciliation with this parish. It was one of four to which I offered pastoral oversight by an Episcopal bishop with whom they are in agreement. The Rev. William Thompson, rector of All Saints', Long Beach, declined that offer two weeks ago on behalf of all four parishes, and assured me of their continued loyalty to me and to this diocese.

The Rev. Jose Poch, rector of St. David's, has been temporarily inhibited from exercising the ministry of a priest. I have offered him and the people of St. David's Church the opportunity to rescind this decision and be reconciled to me, to the Diocese, and to the Episcopal Church.

J. Jon Bruno Bishop of Los Angeles