Diocesan Digest
Episcopal News Service. May 19, 2005 [051905-3-A]
* CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA - Bishop Creighton announces retirement plans
* CONNECTICUT - Question of authority central to dispute
* DALLAS - Special convention endorses Windsor Report, affirms Episcopal Church membership
* MISSOURI - Missouri bishops speak out against execution
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA - Bishop Creighton announces retirement plans
[ENS, Source: Diocese of Central Pennsylvania] -- In a letter to his diocese, Bishop Michael W. Creighton of Central Pennsylvania announced his plans to retire upon the consecration of the next diocesan bishop, which is expected to take place by November 2006.
Full letter: http://www.diocesecpa.org/news.cfm
CONNECTICUT - Question of authority central to dispute
By Karin Hamilton
[ENS, Source: Diocese of Connecticut] -- Whether or not six priests will acknowledge the authority of the diocesan bishop is the central issue of an ongoing dispute in Connecticut.
The "Connecticut Six," as they have become known in the media, want to be released from their ordination vows of obedience to Diocesan Bishop Andrew D. Smith, with whom they disagree about Smith's support of the consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire in 2003. The six, all rectors of congregations, are also demanding suspension of selected canons governing financial obligations, ordination procedures, and clergy succession.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_62230_ENG_HTM.htm
DALLAS - Special convention endorses Windsor Report, affirms Episcopal Church membership
[ENS, Source: Diocese of Dallas] -- In a special convention, the Diocese of Dallas accepted and endorsed the Windsor Report and reaffirmed its membership in the Anglican Communion based upon the Episcopal Church's constitution.
The full text of the resolutions passed at the May 14 convention follows:
1. "RESOLVED, the Diocese of Dallas meeting in Special Convention on May 14, 2005 at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, receives, accepts and endorses the Windsor Report, and pledges to comply fully with its proposals and expectations; and, be it further
"RESOLVED, the Diocese of Dallas, a part of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, hereby affirms its constitutional responsibility for being a constituent member of the Anglican Communion based upon the Preamble of the Constitution of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America."
2. "WHEREAS, this Special Convention of the One-Hundred Ninth Annual Convention of the Diocese of Dallas has enjoyed the hospitality and use of the facilities and assistance of the able staff and members of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church for this Special Convention;
"NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this Special Convention of the One-Hundred Ninth Annual Convention of the Diocese of Dallas does hereby extend its appreciation to the Rev. Mark Anschutz and the staff and parishioners of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church for their gracious hospitality extended to the delegates and visitors at this convention."
Further information: http://www.episcopal-dallas.org/.
MISSOURI - Bishops speak out against execution
by Robert Brown
[ENS, Source: Diocese of Missouri] -- Missouri's two Episcopal bishops have spoken out against the scheduled execution of a man they say is deserving of the state's mercy because of mitigating circumstances in the man's life and what the bishops call "the racism inherent in the death penalty's use" in Missouri.
In a Pentecost letter to clergy in their dioceses, Bishop Barry R. Howe of West Missouri and Bishop George Wayne Smith, whose Diocese of Missouri covers the eastern half of the state, asked the clergy to pray that Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt will grant Vernon Brown clemency and halt his execution scheduled for May 18.
Brown is on Missouri's death row for two separate acts of murder. He was convicted in 1988 of the October 1986 strangulation death of a nine-year-old girl in his home in St. Louis. While imprisoned on that charge, he was convicted in 1991 of the March 1985 strangulation and stabbing death of a 19-year-old St. Louis woman.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_62065_ENG_HTM.htm.