SENIOR BISHOPS RESPOND TO MEETING REQUEST FROM PRESIDING BISHOP’S COUNCIL OF ADVICE

American Anglican Council

Washington, DC

May 3, 2004

On March 14, 2004, five retired bishops—C. FitzSimons Allison (South Carolina), Maurice Benitez (Texas), William Cox (Oklahoma), Alex Dickson (West Tennessee), and William Wantland (Eau Claire)—confirmed 110 individuals at a multi-congregational service in Akron, Ohio, without the permission of the local diocesan bishop.

At the March 2004 House of Bishops meeting, their actions were condemned as “unilateral,” “discourteous, disruptive, and a willful violation of our Constitution and Canons,” and accused of using confirmation “as an instrument of division and defiance.” While no discipline was imposed, the House warned that future infractions would bring “consequences.”

In an April 16 letter, Bishop Charles Jenkins of Louisiana—President of the Presiding Bishop’s Council of Advice—invited the five to meet in Atlanta on May 27 to “discuss the reasons for your actions” and learn about the bishops’ “ministry of reconciliation.” Attendees would cover travel costs; lunch would be provided.

Referencing the church’s crisis, Jenkins urged dissenting clergy to “share personal views with the diocesan Bishop” and warned that performing episcopal acts without consent would now trigger canonical discipline.

In response, the five bishops sent the following letter:

May 3, 2004

Dear Charles:

We thank you for the invitation. Each of us has sworn to uphold the faith that gives birth to and unifies our Church. Territory and canons are secondary. Since we believe this faith must be the Episcopal Church’s first priority, we gladly accept—provided it is the central topic.

Our concerns:

Will the House hold accountable bishops who deny or rewrite core Christian doctrine?

Will it address the 84 bishops who voted against Resolution B001—thereby rejecting Scripture, Creeds, Sacraments, and Apostolic Ministry?

Does the House intend to restore communion with the 21 Anglican provinces that called for repentance?

Will it seek to repair ecumenical relations with Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and other Christian bodies?

Polity cannot be resolved until we are united in the faith we vowed to guard.

We request an open meeting—nothing done in secret. Not all are available May 27, but if you agree to prioritize doctrine over polity, we will find a suitable date.

In His Name,

The Rt. Rev. C. FitzSimons Allison

The Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Benitez

The Rt. Rev. William J. Cox

The Rt. Rev. Alex D. Dickson

The Rt. Rev. William C. Wantland

Cc: The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold

ECUSA House of Bishops

Anglican Communion Primates

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