By margins of more than three-to-one, the annual convention approved six significant changes to the constitution and canons in the Diocese of Fort Worth. Convention met Nov. 16-17 in Fort Worth.
 
Attendance in the visitor’s gallery outnumbered the 206 clergy and lay delegates registered to vote. Debate was extended and cordial on most of the proposed legislation, which removed the diocese from the authority of General Convention. Separately, convention unanimously approved by voice vote a resolution welcoming an invitation to affiliate with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone. The resolution calls on the bishop and standing committee to “prepare a report for this diocese on the constitutional and canonical implications and means of accepting this invitation.” There were several abstentions from that resolution, however.
 
At a press conference at the conclusion of convention, Fort Worth Bishop Jack Iker said the decisions made at this convention are preliminary and will require ratification by another convention before the diocese would break union with General Convention or vote on formal affiliation with another Anglican Province.
 
Guests to convention included the Rt. Rev. Frank Lyons, Bishop of Bolivia in the Southern Cone, and the Rt. Rev. William Wantland, retired Bishop of Eau Claire. Bishop Lyons answered questions about the constitution and canons of the Province of the Southern Cone. Bishop Wantland offered a historical summary of the founding of The Episcopal Church, noting that the formation of dioceses preceded the formation of General Convention in 1789.
 
Bishop Wantland’s remarks were offered in response to objections from several convention delegates that individuals can and do leave The Episcopal Church, but parishes and dioceses cannot. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has frequently said words to the same effect in interviews and court testimony. Bishop Iker later responded to the statement.
 
“You will find that statement no place anywhere in the constitution and canons,” he said. “That statement comes from the communications officer of [former Presiding Bishop] Frank Griswold who circulated it as a memo shortly after the 2003 General Convention where Gene Robinson was confirmed as Bishop of New Hampshire. Since when does a memo from the communications officer of the Presiding Bishop set policy for The Episcopal Church?
 
“It is my belief that we voluntarily form an association with the General Convention,” he said. “If we decide to end that association, we shall.”
 
Other objections dealt with the lack of a provision in the budget for the possibility of litigation by the national church. Bishop Iker also responded to that concern.
 
“I wouldn’t want to assess congregations for possible litigation out of the operating budget,” he said. “My experience is that people don’t give to budgets. They commit to mission and ministry. I am confident that if litigation arises, the people will come forward and provide assistance. Obviously we won’t spend money we don’t have, but we can’t very well budget for the possibility of litigation.”
 
Bishop Iker stated at the concluding press conference that “several key families of the diocesan family have come forward and assured us of their financial support in the event of litigation. The first and most important goal is to avoid litigation.”
 
Steve Waring
 
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