Presiding Bishop Browning's Letter to Diocesan Bishops and Members of Executive Council Regarding 'Unauthorized and Misleading Fundraising Effort in the Name of the Church'
Episcopal News Service. December 19, 1995 [98-2071]
I recently learned that Bishop Wantland of the Diocese of Eau Claire established a new nonprofit corporation in 1996 in the State of Wisconsin. This corporation is called "The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, Inc." Its organizational papers disclose that it is to be governed by a five-person Board of Trustees, which has included Bishop Wantland, Bishop Howe of Central Florida, and Bishop Schofield of San Joaquin. Tax-exempt status for this corporation has been sought and obtained. I further understand that the organizers have registered this coloration in almost every state throughout the country.
The Articles of Incorporation, a copy of which is enclosed, recite that the purpose of the corporation is "to engage exclusively in religious, educational and charitable activities, and particularly, the executive, administrative and financial administration of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, otherwise known as The Episcopal Church." Further, the Articles provide that the organization is to "have charge of the Church Pension Fund and the Church's program."
I have also received a copy of a fundraising brochure (a copy of which is enclosed) that seeks to solicit funds to support this new organization. That brochure is being distributed by Bishop Wantland and others, calling themselves "The Trustees of the Episcopal Church."
As you know, the name of this organization is virtually identical to the official name of the unincorporated association that constitutes our national Church, as set forth in the Preamble to the Church's Constitution. The organization's name also tracks the official corporate name of our Church "The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America." The organization is thus using our Church's name in pursuit of its separate endeavor.
I have been advised that these actions violate the Church's right and need to protect its name from misleading and unfair use, creating confusion within our Church community and for the public more generally.
Immediately after learning of these developments, I spoke to Bishop Wantland asking that he and his colleagues stop these divisive activities and dissolve the corporation using the Episcopal Church's official name. I have had two responses from Bishop Wantland to these requests. In the first, he called to inform me that Bishop Howe had resigned as a trustee. A few days later, Bishop Wantland faxed me notification that he and his co-trustees, while they were taking steps to modify some of the stated purposes of the corporation as quoted above, nevertheless were re-stating their purposes to include the exercise of "stewardship" to "ensure that there will always exist in the United States a Church which remains in [the] Anglican Communion 'upholding and propagating the historic faith and order of the Book of Common Prayer.' " Moreover, Bishop Wantland stated that he and his co-trustees declined to change the name of the their organization, adding that in their view the "Episcopal church has been moving away from the use of the name 'Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America' by amending the canons and Book of Common Prayer." I believe this response is most unfortunate.
In my opinion, the actions that have been taken are unwise and inappropriate because they seek to evade the traditional corporate discernment process that is so basic to the continued life and health of our Church.
In the days ahead, I shall be consulting further with the Presiding Bishop-elect and others, including Dr. Chinnis and other leaders of the Executive Council, to determine what may be the best course for the Church to follow. Meanwhile, I urge each diocesan bishop to inform your congregations and take counsel with your chancellor and other diocesan leaders regarding the potential impact of these matters upon your diocese. Finally, I ask your continued prayers and efforts to promote the unity of our Church.