The Diocese of Southern Virginia moved to the edge of the cliff, stared over and stepped back during its council meeting Feb. 11-13 in Midlothian.

At the end of a day of impassioned debate, the council adopted a resolution requiring the Rt. Rev. David C. Bane, Jr., Bishop of Southern Virginia, to communicate with Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold within 30 days and, with his assistance, to establish within 60 days a team of three bishops to review diocesan issues. The resolution also mandated that this team work with Bishop F. Clayton Matthews of the Office of Pastoral Development of the House of Bishops, in order to make appropriate recommendations to resolve "the conflict and division surrounding Bane’s episcopacy, which impedes the joy and effective life and ministry of the diocese." Bishop Matthews, who had been working with the diocese for a year to help achieve reconciliation, had been inhibited from functioning in the diocese by Bishop Bane.

If the executive board and Bishop Bane cannot agree on which bishops should be appointed, the resolution calls on the Presiding Bishop to appoint them. It also said Bishop Bane should work with the board "in an open and cooperative" manner.

The standing committee and the executive board opened the council with reports detailing the issues and problems and called for Bishop Bane’s resignation. "We declare that the Diocese of Southern Virginia is now imperiled by dissension," said the Rev. Ed Tracy of Farmville, president of the standing committee. "May God have mercy and forgiveness on all of us."

The ensuing debate was impassioned, focusing on the needs of the people and the organizations of the diocese and the problems that have been growing in the diocese for years.

The final resolution was offered as a substitute for a stronger one submitted by 66 voting members of the council requesting the Presiding Bishop to "take emergency action and intervene to lead us through this long-standing, divisive and destructive time." The final resolution was adopted by a vote of 229-12 in the lay order and 92-6 in the clergy order. Hugh Patterson of Virginia Beach said the resolution offers something "we can all get behind. This is a process that will put this diocese back together in a way we all want."

After the resolution passed, the Rev. Peter Hogg of Virginia Beach summed up the feelings of many, saying "I really pray that this will work, Bishop. I beg you for a turn-around."

Bishop Bane responded, "This has been a tough and godly thing, and I think this time next year, we will be celebrating in a different way."

The council also adopted a budget of more than $1.6 million. It was approved after a change to increase funding for the Chanco on the James Camp and Conference Center and two new initiatives focusing on Christian formation and youth ministries and work with small, rural congregations and unique ministries. These have all been identified as diocesan priorities.

Carlyle Gravely