A proposal of "healing and reconciliation" for the Diocese of New Jersey was presented by the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop, and Bishop Joe Morris Doss of New Jersey when they met with the diocesan standing committee and council Jan. 26 in Secaucus, N.J.

The proposal, which, ultimately, would lead to the resignation or retirement of Bishop Doss no later than March of 2002, was rejected by members of the two groups.

The elected officials of the diocese have been embroiled in disputes with Bishop Doss since early in his episcopate on issues ranging from abuse in leadership to misuse of funds. As recently as October, the standing committee and diocesan council hired an attorney to investigate "alleged spending improprieties of the bishop," a move the diocesan staff called vindictive.

"I am somewhat angry," said the Rev. Alan French, president of the standing committee and rector of St. Andrew's, New Providence. Fr. French said he was angry that there had been no indication before hand of what would be offered. He said he did not know that it was a joint proposal, that Bishop Doss had advance input, that the offices of the Presiding Bishop and the diocesan bishop were so well organized, and that the standing committee and diocesan council were so in the dark. "I think it is most unfair."

Fr. French said representatives of elected leadership were working on an alternate proposal. The proposal offered at the meeting would have required signatures before the meeting closed. At press time, the alternate proposal was not completed.

The Presiding Bishop's proposal suggested, in part, that the standing committee and diocesan council agree:

• that, along with working cooperatively with the elected bodies, Bishop Doss would "consider new opportunities for ministry outside the diocese"
• that the diocese appoint a chancellor and the standing committee and diocesan council withdraw resolutions calling for Bishop Doss' resignation and cease their investigations
• and that none of the parties call for an election of a bishop coadjutor until after Bishop Doss' resignation or retirement - at which time the Presiding Bishop would appoint an interim bishop until a new bishop is elected.

Fr. French said that the alternative proposal discussed at the meeting accepted the Presiding Bishop's proposal in principle with the major exception that Bishop Doss would leave at the end of diocesan convention this year. He said that the intent is to offer Bishop Doss a "very generous" package: He would be on sabbatical and no longer involved in the diocese, he would be paid in full through diocesan convention 2002, at which time he could retire early.

"We want to be generous. We don't want to hurt him or his family," Fr. French said. The offer would also include stopping all investigations into Bishop Doss' personal and professional life.

"The problems of our diocese are deep and long-lasting. Only through a mutual healing process can we assist the diocese in achieving a healthy reform," Bishop Doss said in a news release after the meeting.

"The Presiding Bishop and I have presented to the standing committee and diocesan council an opportunity for reconciliation and healing ... Bishop Griswold's intervention illustrates that the moral force and example of the Presiding Bishop is where his authority lies within the Episcopal Church.

"I am grateful that he had brought this unique form of authority to bear upon us, helping us find the way to unity, healing and cooperation."

Fr. French said that although the Presiding Bishop left the meeting having withdrawn himself and his staff from the affairs of the diocese, the standing committee and diocesan council wants to work with Bishop Griswold. He said that, personally, he cannot sign a document that would take away the authority of the standing committee who would be serving in three years.

"This was quite a concession on (Bishop Doss') part," said the Rev. Elizabeth Geitz, diocesan council member. "Such an offer is unprecedented in the history of the Episcopal Church. I am dismayed that his joint proposal with the Presiding Bishop was rejected."