April 2007
Holy Week
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus:
I write to you during Holy Week and after my return from the Spring House of Bishops meeting in Navasota, TX, March 16-21. I am pleased that the House of Bishops was finally able to craft resolutions that best describe how we see the state of the Church at this point in time.
This meeting was prayer centered, with nearly two hours a day spent in prayer and celebration of the Eucharist. Bible study in small groups was also a part of our daily practice and was a great way to reconnect with each other and to prepare for the work that we needed to do.
Debate and discussion on the floor, as we debated and crafted the resolutions, was respectful and thoughtful. There was none of the "mean spiritedness" or "hostage taking" that has occurred at previous meetings of the House. The House was deliberate in our actions and over three hours was spent in debate in order to craft the resolutions that are now available.
Resolution #1 is a "Mind of the House Resolution addressed to the Executive Council" and passed the House with a simple voice vote after several hours of debate. The second resolution, "To the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Members of the Primates' Steering Committee" passed unanimously. The Third Resolution, "A statement from the House of Bishops – March 20, 2007" was passed by a standing vote after some modifications in language.
I think that these resolutions make clear, that in spite of our differences in opinion concerning human sexuality and other issues, a solid majority of the House view the recommendations of the Tanzania Communiqué as offensive to this Church and disrespectful of the way in which we respond to God's will. I was heartened and encouraged to see so many of the House resist the Primates' call for our HOB to act unilaterally. Certainly we are a hierarchical church in our governance, however, the voice of the Bishops is balanced by the voice of the Clergy and Lay folks as well.
I hope that the statement released by the HOB will be used as a teaching tool, as we discern how best to respond to the Primates' ultimatum by their September 30th deadline.
I ask your prayers for the Episcopal church, our Presiding Bishop Katharine, and all of our brothers and sisters throughout the Anglican Communion, as we seek ways to walk together during these difficult times of great challenge and change.
The Resolutions to which I have referred may be found at: www.episcooalchurch.org, the website of the Episcopal church.
In Christ's Peace, Power and Love
+Creighton
IX Bishop of South Dakota
Dear
Friends in Christ:
Many in this Diocese, and beyond, have been awaiting a communication from the
Primates meeting in Tanzania which took place on February 15-19, which concerned
their response to The Episcopal Church's action in 2003 concerning the
Consecration of Bishop V. Gene Robinson in New Hampshire. Collateral issues
concerned TEC's developing rites for the Blessing of same-gender marriages and
unions; and, the issue of foreign Bishops making visitations to some
congregations in Dioceses of TEC, without prior request of the Bishop exercising
jurisdiction over a particular area. The full text of the Primates' Communique
can be found on the website of the Episcopal News Service.
Personally, I am offended by some of the recommendations of the Primates of the
Anglican Communication, some of which would require TEC to turn it's back on
decades of work to provide for the Episcopal Church, full inclusion of persons.
This concept of full inclusion has been affirmed at our Diocesan Convention in
2006, when Fr. Tim Fountain presented a resolution to provide a "safe place" for
all persons and congregations in this Diocese, in order that we may become an
inclusive Diocese and a place for all people to worship our Lord.
As a Bishop of this Church, I cannot turn my back on full inclusion for all
persons, which has been at the heart of ministry in this Diocese since Bishop
Hare came to Dakota Territory to minister to the Native People of this land, and
continues to this day as we open our doors to all who would like to worship in
this Church in South Dakota. We simply cannot now turn our collective backs on
those who wish to worship with us and I call on all congregations to continue to
be a "safe place" for all to gather in our Lord's name. This is an issue of
justice and morality which will engage the wider church in the days and months
ahead
As we move forward in proclaiming the Gospel in this Diocese, my prayer will be
that this Diocese can be a place where divergent views can be expressed; where
all can be welcomed to worship our Lord; and that we might be a prophetic voice
and an advocate for full inclusion for all people from all walks of life, as our
Baptismal Covenant requires us to do.
Faithfully,
+Creighton L. Robertson
IX Bishop of South Dakota