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| Bishop Mark Lawrence Diocese of South Carolina |
The Latest from the Diocese of South Carolina
Article | July 30,
2012 - 5:55pm | By Kevin
Kallsen
The following
letter from the Rev. Canon Jim Lewis, Canon to the Ordinary, summarizing the
July 25 meeting Bishop Lawrence held with the clergy of the Diocese of South
Carolina was sent to the active clergy July 30, 2012.
Dear Brother and
Sister Clergy,
On Wednesday, July
25th, the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence met with the clergy of the Diocese of South
Carolina at St. Paul’s Church, in Summerville, to discuss decisions made at
General Convention 2012 and their significance for us as a diocese. In
particular, he shared the address he made to the House of Bishops, while in
executive session, announcing his decision to depart from Convention with five
members of our deputation.
The central purpose
of his presentation to the Bishops was to convey his understanding that with
the passage of Resolutions D002 and D019 (making all possible variations of
“gender identity and gender expression” protected categories in the canons of
the church), and the adoption of authorized provisional rites to bless same
gender relationships, the doctrine, discipline and worship of this church have
been profoundly changed.
He told the Bishops
that the magnitude of these changes was such that he could no longer in good
conscience continue in the business of the Convention. In fact, he was left
with the grave question of whether he could continue as a bishop of an
institution that had adopted such changes. It was with that question on the
table that he took his leave from the House of Bishops.
Since that time,
and in the gathering of the Diocesan Clergy, the Bishop stated that he believes
the Episcopal Church has crossed a line he cannot personally cross. He also
expressed to the clergy that though he might act one way if he were a priest in
a diocese, as a Bishop he feels deeply his vow before God to faithfully lead
and shepherd the Diocese of South Carolina. Both dimensions of this dilemma
weigh upon him at this time.
The Bishop has
asked for a period of grace as he prayerfully seeks the face of the Lord, and
asks for God’s direction (Psalm 27:7-9,14 or BCP Ps 27: 10-13, 18). He left
yesterday evening, July 29, to begin several weeks of vacation. It will be a
time spent on mountaintops and in deserts where the Bishop will seek
refreshment and discernment. Upon his return at the end of August he will meet
with the Standing Committee and the clergy of the diocese to share that
discernment and his sense of the path forward.
In the interim, the
Bishop has asked that we hold this process in our prayers and pledge that there
will be “no golden calves” or departures during his absence. Those present
heartily agreed to both requests. He would also encourage the clergy as they
are able to gather in deaneries for prayer and intercession. I commend the
prayers below as pillars around which to order your prayers for the Diocese in
the coming weeks.
The Rev. Canon Jim
Lewis
Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina
Canon to the Ordinary
P. O. Box 20127
Charleston, South Carolina 29413
Phone 843-722-4075
FAX 843-723-7628
jlewis@dioceseofsc.org
Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina
Canon to the Ordinary
P. O. Box 20127
Charleston, South Carolina 29413
Phone 843-722-4075
FAX 843-723-7628
jlewis@dioceseofsc.org
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