SAN JOAQUIN: Realigning clergy are charged with abandonment of communion
Episcopal News Service. October 17, 2008 [101708-03]
Pat McCaughan
The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin determined October 17 that 16 deacons and 36 priests who opted to realign with the Southern Cone have abandoned the communion of the Episcopal Church.
The decision paves the way for Bishop Jerry Lamb to inhibit the 52 clergy unless they recant and return to the Episcopal Church (TEC) within six months. In issuing its ruling, the committee said the clergy violated church constitution and canons both by supporting efforts to remove the Central California Valley diocese from TEC and by repudiating the ecclesiastical authority of TEC and the continuing diocese.
“It’s in the bishop’s hands,” said Nancy Key, diocesan communications director, on Friday. Inhibition would mean the clergy would not be allowed to function as Episcopal priests or deacons, or be employed by an Episcopal congregation. Clergy who do not recant will be removed from the ministry of the Episcopal Church.
“This action does not imply a moral judgment of an individual clergy person,” Lamb said Friday. “It speaks only about the person's relationship to the Episcopal Church. I recognize that these people may have many wonderful gifts for ministry, and perhaps these talents could be used in another Christian denomination.”
Under TEC canons, individuals, but not parishes or dioceses, may voluntarily leave the church without the express consent of church governing bodies.
As part of their ordination, clergy vow to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of TEC and to obey their bishop and other ministers who may have authority over them and their work.
The list of clergy included in Friday’s action is available here.
Key said there are “a lot of safety nets built in,” referring to the six-month waiting period to allow clergy time to consider returning to the church.
“Since the consideration of these charges we have had two additional clergy decide to affiliate with TEC,” she said. “It is our hope actually that everybody will decide to remain part of The Episcopal Church. That’s a good sign and we hope that there will be more.
“We are a broad and inclusive diocese and that includes people of differing opinions, so we would welcome them into our conversations.”
The continuing diocese currently has about 40 priests and deacons serving at least 18 “faith communities” and about 1,500 Episcopalians, according to the diocesan website.
The continuing diocese, which has been reconstituted since 42 of 47 congregations voted in December, 2007 to realign with the Southern Cone, will be hosting its first diocesan convention October 24-26 at Church of the Saviour in Hanford.