In his resignation address to the Diocese of New Jersey [TLC, April 4], the Rt. Rev. Joe Morris Doss referred frequently to the need for healing, reconciliation and reform in his diocese. The bishop's words are acutely on target. Long before the election of Bishop Doss, the Diocese of New Jersey was in need of healing, reconciliation and reform. Once a great and flourishing diocese, New Jersey has been reduced to ineffectiveness through congregationalism, lack of vision, clericalism, lack of accountability and other problems too numerous to mention. Divisions of various sorts have run rampant, and diocesan leadership has seemed powerless to do anything about them.

For the five years of his episcopate, Bishop Doss has been trying to bring about a transformation in New Jersey. Some of his attempts fell on deaf ears. Some garnered support and were successful. Others failed, often because the bishop's leadership style offended more than a few persons. During that time matters became worse. Divisions were exacerbated, suspicions aroused, trust eroded. Eleventh-hour attempts by the Presiding Bishop [TLC, Feb. 14] and mediator Delbert Glover [TLC, March 21] to reverse the damage proved to be too late.

While the decision of Bishop Doss to leave the diocese was the right one, even if it will cost New Jersey an obscene amount of money, it will not solve the problems of the diocese. A long interim period under the leadership of a pastorally sensitive interim bishop would be a good start, and the resignations of members of the standing committee and the diocesan council, who had been so antagonistic toward their bishop, would be a major step toward healing, reconciliation and reform. The prayers of Episcopalians everywhere for Bishop Doss and the Diocese of New Jersey are needed as the diocese embarks on what no doubt will be a long period of recovery.