A decision to sell parochial property is one that must be made by the continuing Episcopalian members of a congregation where a vote to disaffiliate has been taken under a proposal announced by Bishop John W. Howe of Central Florida during the annual clergy conference, held Oct. 22-23 at Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center.

Previously the rectors of seven parishes and two church planters informed Bishop Howe that their congregations were in discussions about leaving The Episcopal Church. Recently the Rev. Kevin Holsapple, rector of St. Anne’s Church, Crystal River, informed Bishop Howe that he had reconsidered and that neither he nor his parish would be leaving.

Under the proposal developed by Bishop Howe, the vote of a rector (or church planter) and vestry “cannot control whether or not a congregation disaffiliates.” Proposals to disaffiliate “will only be considered after a vote of the members of the congregation.” If the rector and at least 75 percent of the vestry vote to disaffiliate they are to inform the Bishop and furnish a plan outlining how the leadership intends “to provide for the ongoing nurture of all people, whether they are disaffiliating or no, and whether they will seek to negotiate for the real and personal property of the parish.” Copies of the plan are to be distributed to every member of the congregation under the plan developed by Bishop Howe.

Prior to a congregational vote to disaffiliate, the “Bishop will call a special meeting of the congregation giving at least 15 days’ notice of that meeting and he or his designee will preside at that meeting … The Bishop may require the parish to hold informational meetings for the congregation prior to the special meeting where a pastoral team appointed by the Bishop may participate and answer questions concerning disaffiliation.” If a majority of the parish votes to disaffiliate, “the Bishop will call a meeting of those members desiring to maintain their affiliation with The Episcopal Church in order to elect a new vestry. Until a new vestry is elected, the bishop will appoint an interim vestry and warden.

“This is a very painful time for many of us,” Bishop Howe wrote in his monthly column for the diocesan newspaper. “During this time of transition, I urge all of us to treat each other with great care and compassion.”

Bishop Howe’s proposal requires approval by the diocesan board and standing committee. Both organizations are scheduled to meet at different times on Nov. 15. The Rev. Don Curran, president of the standing committee and spokesman for the eight congregations seeking to disaffiliate, said the clergy and lay leadership were still discussing the proposal.

“Everything is still in flux,” Fr. Curran said. “We’re still talking.”

Steve Waring

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