PENNSYLVANIA: TWO BISHOPS EXCHANGE WORDS INSIDE BENNISON'S OFFICE

An Exclusive Report

By David W. Virtue

PHILADELPHIA, PA--On a recent visit to Philadelphia as the Provincial Episcopal Visitor (flying bishop), one of three recognized in the Church of England, Bishop Edwin Barnes accompanied by Mr. David Rawson, Forward in Faith chancellor and attorney, paid a social call on Pennsylvania Bishop Charles E. Bennison. Bishop Barnes accompanied Central Africa Primate, Archbishop Bernard Malango on an ecclesiastical visit to the Church of the Good Shepherd in Rosemont in a suburb of Philadelphia.

Bishop Barnes and Mr. Rawson made the unscheduled visit following a sight-seeing tour of Philadelphia's historic district.

The following account actually took place in the office of Bishop Bennison.

Both men entered the building and asked if the bishop was in and told the secretary that Bishop Barnes from England would like to pay him a call.

On short notice, Bishop Bennison agreed to see them and they were escorted upstairs to Bennison's private conference room.

Upon meeting the two men and before any pleasantries were exchanged, Bennison said, "What are you doing invading my diocese?"

Barnes: "I am a flying bishop. It is my job to visit beleaguered parishes."

Bennison: "You realize I am in contact with Bishop Griswold to bring this to the attention of the Archbishop of Canterbury."

Barnes: "He was informed before I came over."

Bennison (clearly growing a little agitated) said, "you have broken our canons by this act."

Barnes: "I am not subject to your canons and neither is Archbishop Malango." (NOTE: Primate Malango was making a canonical visit to one of his parish priests Fr. David L. Moyer at Church of the Good Shepherd in Rosemont, PA, in a suburb of Philadelphia.)

Bennison: "I thought there was an understanding among Anglican bishops that they would respect each others rules."

Barnes: "That's a strange comment from a man who has ignored the 1998 Lambeth Resolution, the Oct. 2003 letter from the Primates and the teachings of the church."

Bennison...nearing the end of his rope replies, "I'm the bishop of this diocese and you are trespassing on my turf."

Barnes: "Many people would question whether you are the bishop of this diocese, considering that you are not only a heretic and an apostate but you even obtained your episcopate fraudulently by lying to the conservative parishes."

(Canon Michael Green Oxford theologian and advisor on evangelism to two Archbishops of Canterbury declared the see of Pennsylvania vacant.)

Bennison: "I didn't invite you here to insult me."

Bennison: (standing) said, "I think this meeting is over."

Both men then left the building.

END