[September 18, 2019] The Title IV Reference Panel for the discipline of bishops – composed of Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry, President of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops Cate Waynick, and Bishop for Pastoral Development Todd Ousley – announced it voted earlier today, pursuant to Episcopal Church Canon IV.11.3, to refer to a Hearing Panel the matter related to Bishop William Love’s November 10, 2018 Pastoral Letter and Pastoral Directive. Bishop Love’s pastoral letter and pastoral directive referred to the 2018 Resolution B012 of the General Convention. Under the Canons, the Hearing Panel will conduct a proceeding and then “reach a determination of the matter by (a) dismissal of the matter or (b) issuance of an Order.” (Canon IV.13.12)
In his Pastoral Letter and Pastoral Directive, Love, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, articulates his belief that same-sex marriage is contrary to Scripture and the “official teaching” of this Church and as a consequence directs that same-sex marriages may not be performed by any canonically resident or licensed clergy of his Diocese, and requires full compliance with the Diocese of Albany’s Canon XVI, which forbids the same clergy from “officiat[ing] at,” “facilitat[ing],” or “participat[ing] in” such marriages; forbids the recognition of such marriages in that Diocese; and forbids the use of church property as the site of such marriages.
On January 11, 2019, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issued a Partial Restriction on Ministry to Bishop Love after broad consultation with leadership in The Episcopal Church and discussions with both Bishop Love and the Episcopal Diocese of Albany Standing Committee. In addition to the partial restriction on ministry, Bishop Curry also noted, “I am aware that Bishop Love’s conduct in this regard may constitute a canonical offense under Canon IV.4(1)(c) (“abide by the promises and vows made when ordained”) and Canon IV.4.(1)(h)(9) (“any Conduct Unbecoming a Member of the Clergy”), and that conduct has been referred to the Rt. Rev. Todd Ousley, bishop for pastoral development and intake officer for disciplinary matters involving bishops.”
Title IV is the section of The Episcopal Church’s Canons that addresses the grounds and processes for “ecclesiastical discipline,” a canonical process adopted by the Church to encourage accountability, reconciliation, and pastoral response when a member of its clergy (deacons, priests, or bishops) is accused of misconduct.
Members of the Title IV Hearing Panel for this matter include:
The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson, Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
The Rt. Rev. Herman (Holly) Hollerith IV, Resigned, Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia
The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisley, Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, Hearing Panel President
The Rev. Erik Larsen, Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island
Ms. Melissa Perrin, Episcopal Diocese of Chicago
Bishop Love’s pastoral letter is securely and explicitly founded on the Bible and the unbroken traditions of the churches. The proponents of gay ‘marriage’ can cite neither scripture nor tradition as a secure basis for their position. The ‘progressives’ in the churches are arguing from a contemporary cultural perspective. But the safe position, whether for a church or an individual Christian, is always to avoid what is doubtful. Therefore even if there are ‘arguments’ for ‘progressive’ policies, the wise course is to retain existing restrictions, irksome as they might be to some. After all, the whole basis of Christian service to the community and to Christ, is self-denial. The churches and the community need a lot more of it.
_The Living Church_ reports that Bishop Love could not be reached for comment because he is at . . . the House of Bishop’s meeting in Minneapolis.
Either this is a really awkward moment for all involved, or the decision has already been made to let Bishop Love off the hook.
I hope discipline occurs- aimed at the relevant people, of course.
This is a matter of selective enforcement. Under resolutions passed at GC in 2018, if +Bill Love is disciplined for opposing B012, etc, then TEC is also required to discipline every clergy or lay member who has used bottled water since GC (resolution B025 which bans bottled water).
Bishop Love seems to be the only Episcopalian who is remaining true to the Word of God as spelled out in the Bible as it concerns same sex marriage. It’s a sad day for the Episcopal Church that they have chosen to make Holy what God has called sin.
Ken, I think I agree in principle if you meant what I think you meant, which is “only Episcopal bishop…” I can say with certainty that there are still a number of faithful clergy and laity unwilling to accept the concept that a resolution of General Convention (or even a canon) outweighs the words of our Lord, and the laws of God the Father as laid down in scripture, the councils of the early Church, the Nicene Creed, the rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer, the Ordinal, etc.
We need to keep those “noble few” in our prayers.
He is the only Bishop that has been willing to take a public stand against the Episcopal Church in this matter that I’m aware of. If there are more in positions of leadership, then perhaps they should stand up for Gods word and put an end to this. As a simple member of the laity, I stood up with my family and walked away from the Episcopal church. There are many sins and we’re all sinners, but I don’t see the church making theft, murder or adultery Holy. Bless the sinner, not the sin.
[…] A final difficult discernment – and I can imagine this is particularly difficult in the Established Church – is to conclude that the church as an institution is corrupt beyond reform. I for one wrestled with the question of whether and when Episcopal Church had officially violated its own formularies as well as the wider “faith once for all delivered to the saints.” Clergy and people in TEC made up their minds over a number of years: some left in 2000, others like me in 2008, and some are still hanging in (see the case of Bishop William Love). […]
[…] embraced situational congregationalism. The only Episcopalian bishop with a backbone is about to be deboned for it. Archbishop Welby continues, unflinching, his stalwart stand contra standing. The phrase “human […]
[…] [22] The case of Bishop William Love of the Diocese of Albany (NY) is currently under adjudication. See http://anglican.ink/2019/09/18/further-action-on-bishop-william-loves-november-10-2018-pastoral-lett…. […]
[…] A final difficult discernment – and I can imagine this is particularly difficult in the Established Church – is to conclude that the church as an institution is corrupt beyond reform. I for one wrestled with the question of whether and when Episcopal Church had officially violated its own formularies as well as the wider “faith once for all delivered to the saints.” Clergy and people in TEC made up their minds over a number of years: some left in 2000, others like me in 2008, and some are still hanging in (see the case of Bishop William Love). […]