Episcopalians assembled in churches and cathedrals throughout the U.S. heard Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning discuss national treasurer Ellen F. Cooke's embezzlement of $2.2 million, and his determination to continue in office for another two and a half years during a special closed-circuit telecast from Washington, D.C., June 24.

Bishop Browning had made the same declaration to the Executive Council a week earlier in Seattle [TLC, July 2] and drove it home when a Detroit caller's claim of participation in "damage control" appeared to typify considerable mail urging Browning to resign because the loss occurred "on his watch."

The Executive Council paid the $25,000 tab for the two-hour program from the Reuters studio in downtown Washington. It was watched by nearly 2,000 persons from Florida to Hawaii and from Louisiana to North Dakota, including a Roman Catholic chancery in Peoria, Ill.

Bishop Browning was joined by Pamela Chinnis, president of the 900-member House of Deputies. The moderator was Sarah Moore of the Diocese of Michigan, recently elected as president of Episcopal Communicators.

"I said my last three years would be 'a piece of cake'," Bishop Browning began, "but it's been anything but that because embezzlement is a serious situation affecting many people during the course of discovery."

Although he said he had received complaints on Mrs. Cooke's management style a year ago, he sidestepped a question on why he had not asked for her resignation until last December. Bishop Browning said he did not know of the theft until Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 7. He also avoided a direct answer to an Indianapolis caller asking why auditors had not discovered the loss over a five- year period. After all, he said, more than 100,000 checks are issued by the treasurer's office annually.

"I personally believe there was more than just what she spent on real estate and the other things we know about," he added.

The Presiding Bishop said he intended "to restore integrity and not to permit her to ruin my ministry and the church's ministry."

A major step, he disclosed, is the appointment of the Rt. Rev. Charlie McNutt, Bishop of Central Pennsylvania, to the newly created position of chief operating officer following his retirement. Meanwhile, a search is being launched for a new treasurer.

Bishop Browning tensely refused comment when asked privately during a break in the program if he believed Mrs. Cooke's husband was aware of the embezzlement and if the former rector's renunciation of holy orders was in lieu of being deposed.

Responding to a caller from Columbus, Ohio, about the difficulty of creating "an atmosphere of love" in the midst of moral breakdown, Bishop Browning reaffirmed belief in homosexuals' "rightful place at the Lord's table" and increasing evidence that homosexuality "is a 'given' and not a matter of will."

When a Vancouver, Wash., man asked why Bishop Browning was wearing an AIDS ribbon instead of an insignia supporting other research, the Presiding Bishop said he was recognizing the Episcopal Church's lead in urging study of the disease and in advocating compassion.

A Phoenix caller's suggestion that the Presiding Bishop be left to handle the theft "in a civil manner," reminded Bishop Browning that the diocesan editor in Arizona had said that a dollar from every Episcopalian in the country would cover the loss. In fact, he said, some "sacramental" contributions had been received.

(The Rev.) JAMES B. SIMPSON