SOUTH CAROLINA: Episcopal Forum tells bishops, standing committees of its concern about Lawrence
Episcopal News Service. September 18, 2007 [091807-05]
Mary Frances Schjonberg
The Episcopal Forum of South Carolina, a group that describes itself as "working to retain and strengthen ties with The Episcopal Church," has again written to bishops and diocesan standing committees to question the propriety of their consenting to the ordination and consecration of the Very Rev. Mark Lawrence as bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina.
"His perspective deeply concerns us, as we believe that it would further isolate a substantial number of Episcopalians in the Diocese of South Carolina," the September 14 letter said. "A climate of intolerance exists in this diocese, virtually isolating Episcopalians who do not agree with the expressed position of the majority of clergy and lay leaders who are members of the [Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes (NACDP)]. We fear that climate would be exacerbated by the administration of a bishop with Mark Lawrence's perspective."
Episcopal Forum said in its letter that the group's members "want the new bishop of South Carolina to be committed without reservation to the ordination oath signed by every new bishop 'to conform to the doctrine, discipline and worship of The Episcopal Church.'"
"We understand that commitment to include respecting the democratic actions of General Convention and the elected leadership of The Episcopal Church as it is now constituted," the letter said.
Lawrence was re-elected as bishop of South Carolina August 4 at a special electing convention held at St. James Church on St. James Island, South Carolina. Lawrence was the only candidate in the election since no petitions to add other names to the slate were received by the July 11 deadline.
A majority of bishops exercising jurisdiction and diocesan Standing Committees must now consent to Lawrence's ordination as bishop within 120 days of receiving notice of the election. The process of gathering those consents began in late August.
Lawrence, 56, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Bakersfield, California, in the Diocese of San Joaquin, was first elected September 16, 2006 to be South Carolina's 14th bishop.
In the weeks following Lawrence's September election, questions arose about his intentions concerning the diocese's continuing membership in the Episcopal Church. Two affiliated groups, including Episcopal Forum, issued statements of advice to the bishops and standing committees, and other individuals expressed concern either privately to Lawrence and the diocese or through postings on web sites. Some standing committees publicized their refusal to Lawrence's consecration. He also responded to requests that he clarify his stance on certain issues.
On March 15, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori declared that election "null and void," saying that a number of the consent responses did not adhere to canonical requirements since Lawrence's election did not receive the consent of the majority of diocesan standing committees.
A news release accompanying the Episcopal Forum letter noted that the Diocese of San Joaquin is halfway through a process to repudiate its membership in the Episcopal Church and that Lawrence "in his public discourse generally supported his Bishop and the [NACDP] on the issues of 'disassociation from TEC.'"
The letter said Episcopal Forum members are concerned about statements Lawrence has made concerning the future of the Episcopal Church. The letter notes that after his first election was voided, Lawrence was quoted in the Post and Courier newspaper saying that "It's time to call for those in the middle to wake up and decide which side you are on."
Also noted is Lawrence's August 22 letter to his Bakersfield parish in which he said, "I also hold strong convictions on remaining in covenanted fellowship with the worldwide Anglican Communion, rather than following, as some have suggested, the pathway of an overly autonomous provincial or national church."
The letter tells the recipients that the Diocese of South Carolina "is not unified in its support of the [NACDP] and its positions, nor is it unified in a desire to disassociate from The Episcopal Church."
"There are congregations in this diocese that remain committed to The Episcopal Church, and there are segments within "dissenting" congregations that remain equally committed," the letter said. "The Episcopal Forum of South Carolina is supported by parishioners from most parishes in the diocese, and provides a voice for those loyal to The Episcopal Church."
The letter also expresses concern that diocesan canons may have been violated when the 2006 diocesan convention was reconvened in August 2007 and the rules for electing a bishop suspended.
"We want to emphasize the fact that the above objections to the approval process were clearly expressed to leaders of the Standing Committee," the letter said.
The group said in its letter that there was no search or a nominating committee prior to the second election, "and no opportunity was provided for newly elected delegates to meet Father Lawrence or hear him speak." The group called the petition process to nominate additional candidates "overly restrictive." In addition, the letter continued, no observers were allowed at the reconvened convention.