Request by Traditionalist Parish in Texas for Episcopal Visitor Is Denied
Episcopal News Service. September 15, 1989 [89145]
The lingering debate over the interpretation of the Episcopal Visitors Resolution passed by the church's General Convention last summer has been sharpened by a request from a traditionalist Texas parish for a traditionalist bishop from a neighboring diocese.
It began with an invitation from a rector in the Diocese of Dallas for Bishop Clarence Pope of the Diocese of Ft. Worth to celebrate mass and confirmation on September 3. Bishop Donis Patterson of Dallas denied the request and challenged the rector's interpretation of the Episcopal Visitor's Resolution. The resolution was intended to provide an option for those parishes who object to the episcopal ministry of a female bishop to request a male bishop, even if that bishop came from another diocese.
The Rev. Tim Church, rector of the traditionalist Holy Nativity Church in Plano, Texas, wanted Bishop Pope, elected president of the Episcopal Synod of America at its organizing meeting in Ft. Worth in June, to cross diocesan lines. In one of its more controversial decisions, the synod said it would minister to traditionalist parishes in the Episcopal Church with the permission of diocesan bishops, if possible, but threatening to enter other dioceses without that permission, if necessary.
"Under no circumstances in this case will I authorize or permit Bishop Pope to exercise his office and ministry in this diocese," Bishop Donis Patterson wrote to the rector. He also rejected the citation of the Episcopal Visitors Resolution as "not a valid or justifiable reason for the presence in your parish of Bishop Pope or any other bishop exercising episcopal ministry in this diocese without my consent." Bishop Patterson said the House of Bishops meeting in Philadelphia (September 23-28) will examine the resolution "in light of the Eames Commission Report" and the Episcopal Synod of America. Because of the "great sensitivity" of the issue, the bishop said it was "paramount that no action be taken at this time that will undermine these coming discussions." He reminded Father Church that the Piano parish is on his regular visitation schedule and that he had not been notified that a class was ready for confirmation.
In a letter to clergy of the Diocese of Dallas, Bishop Patterson shared his correspondence with the parish and Bishop Pope, calling all clergy and laity in the diocese to a special Sunday "of intercession and prayer for church unity on September 17." Bishop Pope said that he was "embarrassed and disturbed" by the controversy and that the whole matter was overblown. He said Bishop Patterson's letter was "unnecessarily sharp," adding that he "had nothing to do with inaugurating this." Pope said in newspaper interviews, "It was a very simple thing, and I had no part in initiating it. Of course, I would go if Bishop Patterson gave permission." Pope said he would not accept the invitation in the face of Patterson's rejection.
"I am greatly disappointed by your decision, both because it will be perceived as pastorally insensitive to the needs of our congregation and because it may deeply damage the future of the unity of the Episcopal Church," Father Church said in a letter responding to Bishop Patterson's denial of his request. The rector asked that the request be forwarded to Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning, as allowed by the Episcopal Visitors Resolution. The rector and vestry of the Church of the Holy Nativity also wrote to Browning on August 20 asking him to intervene, charging that Bishop Patterson's denial "is without reasonable cause and founded on a desire to cause damage to the reputation of traditionalist parishes" and that the bishop's response "demonstrated his lack of devotion to his office as an instrument of reconciliation and sign of unity within our diocese and with others in the Episcopal Church."
The letter to Browning continued: "Our greatest desire is to obtain the pastoral care of a bishop who has publicly demonstrated himself to be supportive of the ancient teachings of the Apostles. We believe that the Episcopal Synod of America provided us with an opportunity to live together within the Episcopal Church even though we have overwhelming differences."
The letter said the Episcopal Visitors Resolution was endorsed by the meeting of Anglican Primates last summer in Cyprus and therefore "was a great and weighty sign of hope for traditionalists. We received it as an indication that the whole of the Anglican Communion shares with us in a deep desire for peace and unity in our church." The letter concluded that Bishop Patterson's response "exacerbated the crisis rather than responding with enthusiasm when he was given an opportunity to participate in fostering peace in our church."
It is expected that the issue will become an important part of the discussion at the House of Bishops meeting in Philadelphia where a major presentation is scheduled on the report of the Eames Commission.