Seven bishops have been charged with misconduct for having endorsed a friend of the court brief prepared by the Anglican Communion Institute in the Diocese of Fort Worth case.Read the rest of the article.
On 28 June 2012, the Rt Rev Maurice M. Benitez, retired Bishop of Texas, the Rt Rev John W. Howe, retired Bishop of Central Florida, the Rt Rev Paul E. Lambert. Suffragan Bishop of Dallas, the Rt Rev William H. Love, Bishop of Albany, the Rt Rev D. Bruce MacPherson, Bishop of Western Louisiana, the Rt Rev Daniel H. Martins, Bishop of Springfield, and the Rt. Rev. James M. Stanton, Bishop of Dallas were informed they had been charged with misconduct.
Why would the bishops join with a breakaway diocese in a suit against the church in which they took vows at their ordinations as bishops? The litigation in the dioceses thus far has been decided in favor of church property being held in trust for The Episcopal Church, which the courts have ruled as hierarchical from its beginning.
From the Service for the Ordination of a Bishop in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer:
How can bishops answer in the affirmative at the ordination service and then join as Amicus Curiae in a lawsuit with a breakaway diocese in litigation against their own church?My brother, the people have chosen you and have affirmed their trust in you by acclaiming your election. A bishop in God’s holy Church is called to be one with the apostles in proclaiming Christ’s resurrection and interpreting the Gospel, and to testify to Christ’s sovereignty as Lord of lords and King of kings.You are called to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church; to celebrate and to provide for the administration of the sacraments of the New Covenant; to ordain priests and deacons and to join in ordaining bishops; and to be in all things a faithful pastor and wholesome example for the entire flock of Christ.With your fellow bishops you will share in the leadership of the Church throughout the world. Your heritage is the faith of patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and those of every generation who have looked to God in hope. Your joy will be to follow him who came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.....Are you persuaded that God has called you to the office of bishop?....Will you guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church of God?....Will you share with your fellow bishops in the government of the whole Church; will you sustain your fellow presbyters and take counsel with them; will you guide and strengthen the deacons and all others who minister in the Church?
Andrew Gerns at The Lead:
We don't know who brought the charges or what they are. Bishop F. Clayton Matthews is investigating to see if there is sufficient basis to proceed with a disciplinary action.
