Bishops Called for Special Meeting
Diocesan Press Service. July 31, 1974 [74201]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, has issued a call for a special meeting of the House of Bishops "to determine episcopal responsibility for upholding the Constitution and Canons " of the Church, following the ordination of 11 women to the priesthood in violation of the laws of the Church.
The ordinations were made by four bishops of the Church in Philadelphia on July 29.
With the "unanimous agreement" of the presidents of the eight provinces, Bishop Allin has announced that the special meeting of the bishops will be held in Chicago at the O'Hare International Tower, from 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14, until at least 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 15.
Bishop Allin notified the 225 bishops of the Church of the special meeting by telegram followed by a letter.
Bishop Allin indicated to the bishops that the Church is "in a dilemma which must be resolved as soon as possible."
"The question demanding our immediate attention, " he told the bishops, "is, what is our responsibility as bishops in maintaining 'order and faith' as defined by the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church. "
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the House of Bishops is planned for October 13-18, 1974, at Oaxtepac, Morelos, Mexico.