| [March 30, 2021] In response to a request from Bishop William Love, resigned bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany to be released and removed from the ordained Ministry of The Episcopal Church, pursuant to Episcopal Church Canon III.12.7, Presiding Bishop Curry brought this matter to the Presiding Bishop’s Council of Advice. On March 29, following consultation with this Council and with the advice and consent of a majority of the members, the Presiding Bishop granted Bishop Love’s request. Presiding Bishop Curry’s statement follows: Bishop William Love, resigned Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, has asked to be “released and removed from the ordained Ministry” of The Episcopal Church, pursuant to Episcopal Church Canon III.12.7. Yesterday, I met with my Council of Advice and, with their advice and consent, granted Bishop Love’s request. Deep in my heart I believe that as a church we are called, as Jesus once said, to be “a house of prayer for all people,” where, as my slave ancestors used to sing, “there is plenty good room for all of God’s children.” That conviction is not based on a social theory or capitulation to the ways of the culture. Rather, it is born of my belief that the outstretched arms of Jesus on the cross are the ultimate sign of the very love of God reaching out to embrace and welcome us all. To believe that is to commit to God’s work of creating what some have called the beloved community. It is to pray not only with our lips but with our lives, as Jesus taught when he said, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” But the way is not easy. The road can be rough. This path is not painless. The work of love is hard, but it is both the hard work of healing and the harbinger of hope. This is the way of the cross, and this week called Holy is a solemn reminder that the way of the cross is the way of life, the very road to resurrection. Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer, p. 101 Dated: March 30, 2021 (The Most Rev.) Michael Bruce Curry XXVII Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church |
