Acting on information compiled in part by the bishops of Oklahoma and Kansas, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold has asked for an ecclesiastical investigation into offenses allegedly committed by retired Bishop William J. Cox who on June 21 received a formal inquiry into episcopal acts he performed last year at Christ Church, Overland Park, Kan., in a 21-page legal document signed by John Lankenau, church attorney.

In April 2005, Christ Church agreed to pay the Diocese of Kansas $1 million over the next 10 years as part of a separation agreement which allowed the congregation to retain its property, and for the clergy and parish to be relieved of canonical obligations to The Episcopal Church. Following a request from the Primate of Uganda, Bishop Cox ordained two priests and a deacon at Christ Church on June 29 and on July 24 he returned to lead a service of confirmation.

The complaint was forwarded to Wicks Stephens, Bishop Cox’s lawyer. It reportedly includes a cover letter, a series of questions and several exhibits. At press time, Mr. Stephens, who is also chancellor for the Anglican Communion Network, had not returned messages left by The Living Church. From 1972 through 1980, the Rt. Rev. William Cox served as Bishop Suffragan of Maryland; from 1980 through 1988 he was assisting Bishop of Oklahoma.

After his investigation is complete, Mr. Lankenau will issue a report to the Title 4 Review Committee. The review committee will evaluate the evidence in light of two questions: was there a violation of the canons, and are the charges serious. If the answer is yes to both, a presentment, the ecclesiastical equivalent of an indictment, will be issued and the matter will be forwarded to the Court for a Trial of a Bishop. Normally this is a costly, multi-year process, the result of which will almost certainly not be known until after the pending retirement of Bishop Griswold in November.

Steve Waring

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