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PACKED
PARISH GATHERS TO INTERCEDE FOR FR. DAVID MOYER
Tense
final hours as parish waits for Bennison to announce priest's deposition
Special
Report
By
David W. Virtue
ROSEMONT,
PA--A packed parish heard Fr. David L. Moyer read the
timeless
story of David and Goliath at Church of the Good Shepherd last
night
as he told how hard the last six months had been, and thanked his
parishioners
for their prayers.
Billed
as an ecumenical service of support for Fr. Moyer it became an
evening
of battle hymns sung, and OT stories read of God defending his
people,
and NT readings of standing firm in the face of oppression.
By
midnight the six months of Moyer's inhibition are officially up and
Charles
E. Bennison, Bishop of Pennsylvania is free to depose him and
toss
him out of his parish and the Diocese of PA.
But
this was Moyer's night. The parish with more than 300 present stood
and
applauded Fr. Moyer, singing the ancient hymns of the church that
included
A Mighty Fortress is our God, How Firm a Foundation and The
Church's
One Foundation. The hymns captured the spirit of the occasion.
Scriptures
stressing the need to stand firm in the midst of persecution
buoyed
the parishioners as they waited in quiet, prayerful anticipation
for
the ax to fall on their beloved rector.
"It
is an excommunication of the people," said a visiting parish
priest,
who spoke warmly of Moyer's ministry. "You are a priest forever
Fr.
Moyer," he said, turning to Moyer and intoning in Latin the
sacredness
and permanence of Moyer's priesthood.
No
Episcopal priest has ever faced being thrown out of his parish and
the
Diocese of Pennsylvania in its 200-year history because that cleric
affirmed
the historic Faith while the bishop would not do the same.
Moyer,
52, the beleaguered, but clearly much loved parish priest
thanked
the many parishioners and friends who came last night for their
prayers
for he and his family and introduced the archbishop from
Central
Africa, The Most Dr. Rev. Bernard Malango who came to support
Moyer
in his hour of deposition.
The
African Primate had previously been in New Westminster, British
Columbia,
Canada supporting the "Vancouver 12" as they face similar
disciplinary
actions by the ultra-liberal Bishop Michael Ingham.
Malango
was tired but clearly happy to be here.
As
the evening wore on, priest after priest from across the diocese and
the
country stood up at the lectern to praise and support Moyer.
The
Rev. William Ilgenfritz, St. Stephens, Whitehall, PA, a fellow
Forward
in Faith priest and wannabee bishop said the struggle Moyer had
been
in for so long was "not about this building, nor about these
stones
or mortar. In the end if that is all we care about then we miss
the
real issue. It is about the people perishing as our churches burn.
Your
rector has been placed in a situation where he has risked
everything
to try and save the people."
Ilgenfritz
pleaded, "Allow him to do his ministry. Allow him to do what
God
has called him to do. I am very proud to know David Moyer and to
call
him my friend, and I am proud to stand for the faith once
delivered."
"If
they take our buildings, pensions and salaries it doesn't make a bit of
difference, they can't take Jesus from us." Do not fear the
consequences of being faithful, he said. "There is part of me
that is deeply sympathetic towards Bennison and people like him. He
doesn't know who he is contending with and doesn't know who he should be
contending for. He is gonna lose big time."
"Pray
for him that God will open his eyes to the truth of the gospel and when
to know your church is burning and make sure you can get all your
brothers and sisters outside."
"He
is not of my color but he is of my kind," said the Rev. Dr. Maurice
Hughes, the Black pastor of Zion AME Church in Philadelphia, who stood
up in support of Moyer. "Ephesians chapter 6 says to put on the
whole armor of God. We are
contending
not against flesh and blood but against wickedness in
heavenly
places."
An
Australian Anglo-Catholic priest, the Rev. David Chislett from a
traditionalist parish in Queensland, Australia, said he and his people
"have had the same sorts of things happen to them in Australia
except in the Diocese of Sydney. One of the things that has happened to
me is that I have gotten excited about OT stories. Over the last 15
years I have come to see the victory of the people of God over their
enemies...the OT has come alive to me all over again."
Chislett
said being a Christian is not an insurance policy against
Calvary.
"When the train goes through the tunnel the safest place is to
stay
on the train."
Archbishop
Malango said how happy he was to be there with all those who
faithfully
support Fr. Moyer. "David and Rita have known of my love and
care
for them and I have written and sent a letter to them and to the
Primates
in support of David. In seven days I will be in Hong Kong at
the
Anglican Consultative Council meeting and I will be telling
stories,
particularly this story to all the bishops."
By
midnight Moyer could learn his fate, but the words of the hymn
lustily
sung by 300 voices last night will carry him up and bear him
along...
"When
through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie
My
grace all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The
flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy
dross to consume and thy gold to refine."
The
service closed with the singing of Onward Christian Soldiers. It
was
fitting end.
**********
BISHOP
BENNISON DEPOSES FATHER DAVID MOYER
Special
Report
By
David W. Virtue
PHILADELPHIA,
PA-- (Sept. 5, 2002) The Bishop of Pennsylvania Charles E.
Bennison
today deposed Fr. David L. Moyer rector of Church of the Good
Shepherd,
Rosemont, saying that Moyer had "abandoned the Communion of the
Church by openly renouncing the Discipline of the Church." The Rev.
Dr. David L. Moyer was Inhibited for a period of six months commencing
March 4, 2002 as mandated by Section 1 of Canon 10 of Title IV of the
Canons of General
Convention,
wrote Bennison.
Bennison
writes: "The Rev. Dr. David L. Moyer did not deny the accuracy of
the
Findings of the Standing Committee, did not submit any statement to the
Bishop
of the Diocese of Pennsylvania purporting to retract any of the actions
underlying the Finding and Determination, and did not take any other
action that would permit the Bishop to withdraw the notice and allow the
Inhibition to expire as provided by Section 2 of the said Canon of Title
IV. Therefore in accordance with the provisions of the said
Section 2 of Canon 10, of Title IV and Section 3 of Canon 12 of Title IV
of the Canons of General Convention of the Episcopal Church, in the
presence of two priests, I do hereby adjudge and pronounce a Sentence of
Deposition within the meaning of Section 1 (d) of Canon 12 of Title IV
of the said Canons upon DAVID LLOYD MOYER, who is accordingly, deposed
from the ordained ministry.
The
letter of sentence was signed by the Rt. Rev. Charles E. Bennison and
witnessed
by the Rev. Glenn M. Matis and the Rev. William H. Wood. In a
separate letter to Fr. Moyer, Bennison writes, "It grieves me
deeply that you have no responded to my letters of yesterday ad August
7th, or to the statement ion the Standing Committee's Report of February
26, 2002 and that a renunciation grounded in action can be retracted by
appropriate action."
As
provided in Section 2 of Canon 10, if a Priest "does not make
retraction or denial as provided above, then it shall be the duty of the
Bishop" to pronounce sentence as provided therein. In accordance
with my duty, and in the light of your defiance of the Discipline of the
Church, I have pronounced a Sentence of Deposition upon you, a copy of
which I enclose."
"I
want to make certain that you are aware of, and give prayerful
consideration to the provisions of Canon 13 of Title IV, regarding the
Remission of Sentence, with the hope that if you truly wish to remain a
Priest in the Episcopal Church you will follow the process and
procedures enumerated there. If you do, I would be glad to welcome you
back."
**********
MOYER
RESPONDS TO BENNISON'S DEPOSITION
Traditionalist
Priest Joyfully Received into Diocese of Pittsburgh
Special
Report
By
David W. Virtue
ROSEMONT,
PA- (Sept. 5) The Evangelical Catholic priest at the Church of the
Good
Shepherd today applauded the action of Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan
in receiving him into his diocese.
Tomorrow,
Friday, the Rev. Dr. David L. Moyer will celebrate mass at Trinity
Cathedral
in Pittsburgh where he will be received as a priest in good
standing
in that diocese by Bishop Duncan.
"I
cannot adequately express my thanks to Almighty God for raising up
Bishop
Robert
Duncan as a true Christian leader, a true successor of the Apostles,
and
a godly man of deep prayer and joy in the Lord. I thank God that I have
been
deemed worthy to receive a call from the Lord to defend the doctrine,
discipline
and worship of Christ as the Church has received them, and to be
identified
in so doing with the Passion of Jesus."
"The
persecution of bishops, and priests by those within the Episcopal
Church, especially from those in episcopal office is tragic and an
offense to God. In my situation, Charles Bennison has refused to
publicly affirm basic Christian teachings, and has removed himself from
the Church through public pronouncements and teaching that are apostate
and heretical. I have always (as a lifelong member of the Episcopal
Church and a priest for 25 years) held bishops in high regard, but I
cannot do this with a man who has failed his calling as a shepherd and
bishop of the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ. It is not
too much to ask that a bishop be a Christian."
"Secondarily,
the Deposition is invalid, unjust, illegal, uncanonical, and
unchristian. Never before in the history of the Episcopal Church has
this particular canon been used to inhibit and depose a priest who seeks
to remain
in
the Episcopal Church as one who has not committed a moral offense. This
canon
used against me has historically been reserved for a priest who has left
the Episcopal Church for the Roman Catholic Church or one of the
Protestant denominations. I had no appeal or trial." "I
have been improperly and illegally removed from the Diocese of
Pennsylvania, and I do not recognize the validity of this action."
"A
lawsuit has been filed on my behalf requesting an order setting aside
the
Deposition,
or in the alternative for damages. I am blessed with the legal
representation
and expertise of Mr. John H. Lewis, Jr. of Montgomery, McCracken, Walker
and Rhoads, along with the assistance of Mr. Robert Fitzgerald and Mr.
Christopher Pushaw, attorneys."
"I
remain a priest called by God, and I welcome the provision to be a
priest in good standing in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and to be placed on
the rolls for the clergy. I welcome the pastoral oversight of Bishop
Duncan. I have a hunger and thirst for a strong and caring Father in
God."
"I
am also so grateful for the recent action by the Archbishop of
Canterbury, the spiritual head of the Anglican Communion. The Most Rev.
and Right Honorable Dr. George Carey has communicated to me in order to
give me the right to say with confidence that, 'the Archbishop of
Canterbury believes me to be in good standing with him and is prepared
to offer me Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Canterbury and a
license in the Province of Canterbury'."
"I
also have been receiving licenses for priestly ministries and authority
conferred
by ordination from an increasing number of bishops from throughout
the
Episcopal Church."
"In
addition, I am grateful for the prayers and support of local clergy from
other
denominations, many of whom came to Good Shepherd on Sept. 4th for a
wonderful
and rousing ecumenical praise and prayer service. Finally, the prayers
and encouragement from people all over the world have been wonderful and
a great blessing."
"How
special it is at this time for my wife and me to have our lives graced
with the presence of The Most Rev. Dr. Bernard Malango, Archbishop of
Central
Africa,
in our home. His Grace came specially to be with us as a source of
pastoral
support and spiritual guidance."
"My
concern has been and now is entirely focused on the spiritual welfare of
the good people under my charge as their rector at the Church of the
Good Shepherd, Rosemont, who have been served so well during this time
by the
faithful
and godly priests on my staff. You may remember that adding to his
unjust
actions and showing no concern for souls of the people committed to my
charge,
Charles Bennison inhibited me during Lent prior to Holy Week."
"My
parishioners have been so steadfast, caring, and supportive of my wife,
my family and me, throughout this difficult emotional ordeal. With joy,
I have witnessed a deepening in their spiritual lives, and a renewed
commitment to Christ Jesus and His Church Catholic and Apostolic. They
are poised to move forward with our many ministries to God's glory and
the benefit of others."
"Let
me conclude with a prayer I have prayed daily for the past six months,
written
by St. Ignatius of Loyola."
"Teach
us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest to give and not to
count
the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek
for
rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward-Save that of knowing what
we
do
Thy Will."
**********
TWENTY-THREE
ORTHODOX ECUSA BISHOPS REJECT MOYER DEPOSITION
Submitted
by David W. Virtue
A
RESPONSE TO THE DEPOSITION OF THE REV. DAVID L. MOYER
"We,
the undersigned bishops of the Episcopal Church, USA, reject as invalid
-- spiritually, morally and canonically -- the deposition of the Rev.
David L. Moyer by the Rt. Rev. Charles E. Bennison, Bishop of
Pennsylvania. In doing so, we are joining with the Most Rev. George L.
Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, and many other bishops around the world
who have refused to acknowledge the validity of the deposition.
By
Bishop Bennison's action, Fr. Moyer has been deprived of due process and
any court of appeal. We believe no credible case has been made that Fr.
Moyer has 'abandoned the communion' of this Church. Further, we support
the Rt. Rev. Robert W. Duncan, Bishop of Pittsburgh, in his decision to
receive Fr. Moyer as a priest in good standing, making him canonically
resident in the Diocese of Pittsburgh."
Signatories
as of September 5, 2002:
The
Rt. Rev. Keith L. Ackerman, Bishop of Quincy;
The
Rt. Rev. Peter H. Beckwith, Bishop of Springfield
The
Rt. Rev. David Bena, Bishop Suffragan of Albany
The
Rt. Rev. Andrew H. Fairfield, Bishop of North Dakota
The
Rt. Rev. Daniel W. Herzog, Bishop of Albany
The
Rt. Rev. John W. Howe, Bishop of Central Florida
The
Rt. Rev. Jack L. Iker, Bishop of Fort Worth
The
Rt. Rev. Stephen H. Jecko, Bishop of Florida
The
Rt. Rev. Terence Kelshaw, Bishop of Rio Grande
The
Rt. Rev. Hugo L. Pina-Lopez, Assistant Bishop, Diocese of Central
Florida
The
Rt. Rev. Edward Salmon, Bishop of South Carolina
The
Rt. Rev. William J. Skilton, Bishop Suffragan of South Carolina
The
Rt. Rev. James M. Stanton, Bishop of Dallas
Retired
Bishop signatories as of September 5, 2002:
The
Rt. Rev. FitzSimons Allison, Bishop of South Carolina, Retired
The
Rt. Rev. David S. Ball, Bishop of Albany,
Retired
The Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Benitez, Bishop of Texas, Retired
The
Rt. Rev. Gordan T. Charlton, Bishop Suffragan of Texas, Retired
The
Rt. Rev. William J. Cox, Assistant Bishop of Oklahoma, Retired
The
Rt. Rev. Alex D. Dickson, Jr., Bishop of West Tennessee, Retired
The
Rt. Rev. William C. Frey, Bishop of Colorado, Retired
The
Rt. Rev. G. Edward Haynsworth, Assistant Bishop of South Carolina,
Retired
The
Rt. Rev. John MacNaughton, Bishop of West Texas, Retired
The
Rt. Rev. William C. Wantland, Bishop of Eau Claire, Retired
**********
MOYER
FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST BENNISON
Reversal
of Deposition and Damages Sought
Special
Report
By
David W. Virtue
PHILADELPHIA,
PA--(Sept. 5, 2002) The rector of Church of the Good Shepherd, the Rev.
Dr. David L. Moyer yesterday filed suit against the Bishop of
Pennsylvania, Charles E. Bennison in Montgomery County Court, PA
alleging that he committed fraud by saying that he promised Moyer a
church trial and then reneged on that promise.
Bennison
wrote a letter to Moyer making certain demands on the priest stating
that if all those demands were not met, that the priest would become
"liable to Presentment and Trial" and then backed down from
that promise of a trial. Such a trial would have vindicated Moyer,
said the complaint. Bennison made Moyer promises that he promptly turned
around and reneged on, said the complaint.
The
complaint argues that Bennison had already determined the outcome and,
contrary to the promise made, planned to depose Moyer without trial or
appeal.
The
complaint alleges that at the time secret documents were drawn up to
deny Moyer a presentment and trial as promised in the bishop's letter.
One document, prepared by Bennison stated that the Bennison sought
"an alternative route [to Depose Moyer] without trial. The
complaint charges that Episcopal Church canons demand a written
statement of the charges, a right to counsel, the right to confront
witnesses, a fair trial and right of appeal.
Contrary
to his promise the Deposition was pronounced by Bennison without
presentment, trial and appeal using Canon 10 which was designed to deal
with those cases where priests of The Episcopal Church leave The
Episcopal Church to become ministers or priests in other denominations,
such as the Roman Catholic Church. Under such circumstances, there is
normally no need for any trial since the priest is expected to
voluntarily renounce his right as a priest of The Episcopal Church.
Moyer has not left The Episcopal Church.
The
complaint also charges that Bennison deprived Moyer, (a priest in good
standing for over twenty-five years), of all of his rights of priesthood
in the Diocese of Pennsylvania; The Episcopal Church and in the entire
Anglican Communion. All of this has been accomplished without giving the
traditionalist priest any opportunity for a trial to contest the
"charges". The Deposition was fraudulently imposed and
invalid, said the complaint. The complaint charges that the Inhibition
and Deposition are part of a scheme by Bennison to gain control of the
assets of The Church of the Good Shepherd.
The
complaint also charges that the Bishop and the Diocesan Standing
Committee, as two separate entities, colluded in writing
"reports" and "findings". The Standing Committee did
not initiate the process, Bennison did, and did so for the sole purpose
of injuring Moyer. The complaint alleges that Bennison showed bad faith
by a capricious rejection of the statement of the Presiding Bishop of
The Episcopal Church, Frank Griswold who wrote saying the inhibition of
Moyer was "utterly unacceptable". The Presiding Bishop wrote
two letters, one in March and one in July, condemning Bennison's
actions. Bennison has refused to release those letters to Moyer.
The
complaint also charges that a priest in the Diocese of Bethlehem, who
was accused of sexual abuse was granted a trial and will be granted the
right to appeal while Moyer is denied due process. This is both unfair
and contrary to canon law.
Bennison
took the action knowing that there is no provision in the Canons to deal
with a lawless and rogue bishop who deliberately violates and disregards
the Canons. Bennison, however, is not above the law. Moyer is
seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
**********
PENNSYLVANIA
BISHOP CHARLES E. BENNISON MUST RESIGN
COMMENTARY
By
David W. Virtue
He
has inhibited and deposed a godly priest. He has lost the confidence of
all the Evangelical and Anglo-Catholic priests in the Diocese of
Pennsylvania and most of his liberal priests don't trust anything he
says.
He
has incurred the wrath of 23 orthodox ECUSA bishops because of the
deposition of David Moyer and another bishop has claimed his priest from
him. The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. George Carey will not recognize
the inhibition and deposition of Fr. Moyer either. And even the
Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold called his actions "utterly
unacceptable." And a number of Primates have also said they would
not honor the deposition.
Charles
Bennison has few friends and virtually no support. The Rt. Rev. Charles
E. Bennison, Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, should
resign.
He
has also lost the confidence of the majority of his 162 parishes. He has
endorsed homosexual marriages and said he would perform a same-sex
marriage in the cathedral if called upon to do so. He has also
officiated at the ordination of a non-celibate homosexual to the
priesthood. He has lied to Anglo-Catholic parishes on the subject of
flying bishops. And at the last Diocesan Convention, his budget was
roundly rejected by the vast majority of rectors-a clear vote of no
confidence
in the bishop.
Bishop
Bennison has defied the wider Anglican Communion by refusing to
submit
to the Lambeth statements on human sexuality, which declared
homosexuality incompatible with Scripture. He also has snubbed Lambeth's
call to allow Episcopal visitors for traditionalist parishes who differ
with him on matters of women's ordination. (This defiance met with a
counter response by a group of international bishops visiting and
confirming at an Evangelical Catholic parish November 26 in Rosemont,
PA.)
He
has alienated and bullied evangelical rectors by demanding more money
from them without offering anything in return. He also despises their
"biblical literalism" on issues of Christian conversion,
evangelism and church growth, though his own ideas of church growth have
met with strong resistance by liberal priests and have yet to prove
successful. Those evangelical parishes are the largest and fastest
growing in the Diocese.
He
denied one evangelical parish legitimate monies for a youth outreach
ministry that they subsequently obtained from Trinity, Wall Street. That
program now has more than 200 youth in a New Chapel ministry that has no
equal in the diocese and is, by itself, larger than 90 percent of all
the parishes in the Diocese of PA. It is one of the most dynamic in the
country.
He
has said the "church wrote the bible and could therefore rewrite
it" presumably to suit current mores and relativistic cultural
values. No bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion has ever made such
a statement.
He
has promoted what he calls a "Holy Experiment" for church
growth
that
does not have the support of most clergy and does not contain a
core
understanding of the gospel. He spent thousands of dollars renting the
Mann Center in Philadelphia to promote it to the diocese. He was
recently publicly excoriated by the outgoing President of the Diocesan
Standing Committee, the Rev. Louis Temme,--himself a liberal-- on a wide
range of issues at the recent Diocesan Convention. He likened Bennison's
leadership of the Diocese to a "raft heading towards the
rapids." Fr. Temme said: "We don't know where our guide's
commands will lead us, and some are beginning to doubt his
leadership." Temme said, after listening to the voices of the
diocesan family, "it
is
clear we are travelling on a very chaotic river. Complaints and anger
are frequently heard, disappointments and disillusionment are often
expressed, and morale is being jeopardized." The Standing Committee
president accused the bishop of being "disconnected" and
"dishonest" with people working at fundamental cross purposes.
At
least one Deanery comprising more than 20 prominent rectors has accused
him of being high-handed in dealing with diocesan matters, and he has
been publicly rebuked for his spending money on high-priced consultants
for the Diocese. He also cannot reach his budget goals because no one
has confidence in how he will spend the money and a number of parishes
are deliberately withholding their full pledges.
The
rectors specifically cited eight areas in which the Bishop is deficient
in his leadership style and content. They accuse him of implementing a
"secular management strategy" which our vestries and ourselves
do not "buy into," since "we are different from corporate
culture." They condemned the process as neither "good" or
"adequate" arguing that the "end result" was
unrelated to the "input." It is an "experiment which has
not seemed to work, designed only to give people the 'feeling' of
involvement."
They
cited the loss of committees that included Stewardship, DCEC, most of
the liturgical commission, diaconate, mission strategy, pastoral care,
spiritual growth, in favor of high-priced outside consultants.
They said Bennison's actions threatened the collegiality, the
"glue" of the diocese. If it ain't broke don't fix it, they
argue.
They
criticized the bishop for his "multitude of strategic directives
and compliance letters" arguing they were "detrimental to
pastoral relationships."
They
also excoriated him for revealing confidences and making comments to
reporters that do not reflect the views of the vast majority of
Pennsylvania Episcopalians. They particularly scored him for his
"sin of heterosexism" statement with the priests, arguing that
"all people gay and straight, are born of heterosexual
unions." They specifically requested he not raise the issue as a
resolution at the last General Convention, saying such actions did not
reflect the
mind
of the diocese and that he was "not authorized to speak his mind,
but must uphold the teachings of the Church." Bennison went ahead
and submitted a resolution on the "sin of heterosexism" at
GC2000, infuriating the priests even further. The resolution was soundly
defeated.
They
also said his growth plan for the diocese was not owned by all parties,
saying that the requirement for this plan was not in the canons or the
diocesan convention or customary practice. As a result "parishes
would go their own separate ways, becoming more parochial, ignoring
diocesan communications."
They
wrote: "There are other issues as well around financial matters:
How much do the consultants cost? How are they paid? How much was the
Mann Music center rental? How as it paid? Due to the endowment of the
Diocese, we all feel somewhat in the dark about financial decisions
because there seems to be a great deal of discretionary money."
On
the threatened closure of urban parishes, the rectors argued that
"we don't exist without them" and "we have enjoyed close
relationships with the mission parishes". They say they are part of
"our social transformation." They said the diocese does not
express cogent commitment to them.
Bishop
Bennison's theological views have been publicly deemed
"apostate" and "heretical" by several rectors and
bishops, and one Evangelical parish in the Diocese recently denied him
Holy Communion. The chancellor of the national traditionalist
organization, Forward in Faith, called the actions of Bennison towards
Anglo-Catholics "betrayal" and "reprehensible." The
Rev. Dr. David Moyer, Good Shepherd, Rosemont says Bennison is at odds
with the vast majority of the worldwide Anglican Bishops and has
"irreconcilable theological
differences."
One
historic urban parish has left the diocese and The Episcopal Church
because
of his views. Another rector resigned from the Diocese of PA and The
Episcopal Church and took the vast majority of his parishioners into the
Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and three other parishes are suing him
over
property
issues.
At
pre-consecration hearings he promised the traditionalist parishes flying
bishops continuing a tradition begun by the former Bishop Allan
Bartlett, but he later reneged on that promise once he became bishop. He
then allowed Diocesan Convention to expel those parishes when they in
protest began to withhold their episcopal assessment. In a pique of
mean-spiritedness he went so far as to refuse their innocent curate's
licenses.
In
the two and a half years he has been bishop the "seven
sisters" traditionalist parishes have publicly stated they are no
longer in communion with Bishop Bennison and they have refused to allow
him to confirm, preach or perform Eucharistic functions in their
parishes. Several of the traditionalist parishes are attempting to
negotiate their way out of the diocese, and Bennison has publicly said
he would like to close down as many as 15 urban parishes that are
financially non-viable, infuriating several African- American rectors.
He
gave one parish the green light to marry two homosexuals but backed down
when this writer exposed him for doing so. He said such an action would
require the full consent of the vestry. That parish rector is presently
manipulating the vestry, pushing aside upholders of traditional morality
to allow gays on the vestry to fulfill that pledge.
Publicly
charming and privately engaging, Bennison is nonetheless privately
viewed as the "bishop with no [theological] clothes." There is
even talk that the Standing Committee has met in closed session to
discuss ways of getting Bennison out.
He
recently came out supporting a Visigoth rite for same-sex marriages
and
could not uphold some basic doctrines of the Christian Faith when
asked
to do so. It is time for Bishop Bennison to take the honorable way out
and
resign.
He cannot effectively continue as bishop with his credibility
in
shreds even among his most loyal supporters. His resignation, like that
of Jo Mo Doss, former Bishop of NJ would pave the way for a genuinely
orthodox bishop who would restore Biblical morality, faithfulness to the
full integrity of Holy Scripture, and legitimate church growth based on
a clear apostolic understanding of the gospel.
**********
BENNISON
OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY SAYS RECTOR'S WARDEN
Special
Report
By
David W. Virtue
ROSEMONT,
PA--The rector's warden of Church of the Good Shepherd said
the
Bishop of Pennsylvania, Charles E. Bennison is "out of touch with
reality, that he is lying to himself and lying to others."
In
a phone call to Stanley Bright following the deposition of Fr. David
Moyer,
the Good Shepherd rector, the bishop asked Bright if he intended
to
allow Moyer to celebrate on Sunday.
"Yes,"
said Bright. "The vestry voted unanimously to re-affirm that
David
has been and is the rector and he has been duly licensed by the
Bishop
of Pittsburgh, Robert Duncan."
"You
need to get in touch with the truth Bishop Bennison. You need to get in
touch with reality. You need to stop lying to others and to yourself.
You need to face the reality of the situation and get honest with
yourself. The Archbishop of Canterbury won't even recognize your action
of deposition and inhibition against Fr. Moyer."
Bennison:
"I had no idea you felt that way. It is important that I know how
you feel."
Bright:
"Bishop Duncan told you that you need to get in touch with the
truth and with reality. Why don't you? What you did to Fr. Moyer by
inhibiting and deposing him was uncanonical, illegal and invalid."
Bennison:
"How could you let Moyer go back into the pulpit?"
Bright:
"Because the vestry passed the resolution saying he is the rector.
You want us to recognize you as the bishop then you need to go back to
St. Paul's analogy. The role of priest is to be an icon of Christ to his
people, and the role of the bishop is similar to the priest he is the
icon of Christ to the whole family. And when the father has
betrayed the clan by trying to destroy one of his sons, the clan cannot
move forward if the Patriarch does not admit what he has
done
and repents."
The
truth required facing reality, Bright told the bishop. Bright said
that if Bennison cannot admit to what he has done he should
resign. "The Standing Committee and the Diocesan Council
should also resign. The upcoming Diocesan Convention needs to put
into place an interim bishop. We need a compromise slate to fill both
groups that represent the entire diocese and not just a group that are
liberal and revisionist like Bennison."
Bennison
has written a letter to the members of Church of the Good Shepherd
inviting them to meet with him and other diocesan leaders at two
meetings he will hold on Sept. 12 at Christ Church, Ithan and on
September 14th at Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr.
In
the letter Bennison writes, "The purpose of these meetings is to
offer an opportunity for us to hear from you and for us to share our
mutual views on how we can move forward together into a beneficent
relationship between your parish and the diocese."
"My
deepest desire is simply to create a process whereby we can gradually
move to the restoration of a healthy relation ship between the Church of
the Good Shepherd and the diocese."
The
resolution stated that Fr. Moyer had been illegally inhibited, illegally
deposed and illegally expelled from Diocese of Pennsylvania for the
reasons stated in the complaint filed on Sept. 5th. The resolution
also said that the Bishop "cynically preferred the charge under
Canon IV.10 to the Standing Committee in violation of Canon, 3.7 in
order to deny Fr. Moyer his fair trial."
An
additional lawsuit has been filed against Bishop Bennison in Montgomery
County Court. As a result of documents released during the discovery
process in the lawsuit concerning the inhibition, the inadvertent
release of the "secret plan" to come after the property and
additional letters sent to the bishop from Fr. Moyer, the Court is now
being asked to set aside the deposition. The complaint claims that
Bishop Bennison is guilty of fraud, misrepresentation, collusion,
denial
of due process and acting in bad faith. It is felt that this additional
lawsuit will be a vehicle to both vindicate Fr. Moyer's position and
provide additional protection for the property.
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