Griswold Writes to Bishops to Explain Resignation of Bishop in New Jersey
Episcopal News Service. April 15, 1999 [99-045]
(ENS) Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold wrote March 16 to the bishops of the church to explain the resignation of Bishop Joe Morris Doss in the Diocese of New Jersey.
After years of controversy and polarization, Doss resigned at the diocesan convention March 12, expressing regrets that he would not be the one to lead the diocese into the new millennium.
"As presiding bishop I am grateful that the leadership of the diocese and Joe were able to reach an agreement that may lead to healing and reconciliation," Griswold wrote. He revealed the details of the arrangement, based on a sabbatical until September 30, 2001. "The financial package is one of generosity and recognition that Joe was underpaid while he was the active bishop of New Jersey."
The terms include full salary and benefits until retirement, additional payments to his pension after retirement, educational costs for his children, payments for a mortgage, an automobile and moving expenses, as well as a payment of $100,000 "payable at any time within the next three years at the bishop's request." Value of the package was estimated at about $1.2 million.
"At the request of the diocesan leadership, the Presiding Bishop's Office will immediately begin discussing an appropriate interim bishop to serve as soon as possible and until a new bishop is elected after October 1, 2001," Griswold wrote. "Everyone knows that pain and brokenness will not disappear overnight, but that with the prayers of the whole church and with the commitment of the people of New Jersey, God's grace will lead to reconciliation and wholeness."
Griswold quoted Bishop Clay Matthews of the Office for Pastoral Development, who represented him at the convention: "There are no victors -- but rather a people who, like the Hebrews in the wilderness and the disciples on the road to Jerusalem, look to an uncertain future while trusting in God to guide us so that we can and see and respond to the opportunities for healing and reconciliation."
Pointing out that Doss' decision took "great courage," Griswold concluded his letter by asking that "reconciliation and healing may come in the Diocese of New Jersey" and that the future for the Doss family "may be a time of recovery and blessing."