In conjunction with disciplinary actions initiated by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, groups in the dioceses of San Joaquin, Pittsburgh, and Fort Worth are proceeding with strategies to oppose plans by the dioceses to dissociate from the Episcopal Church.
 
On Jan. 11 Bishop Jefferts Schori inhibited Bishop John-David Schofield of San Joaquin, whose diocese left  the Episcopal Church in December, charging him with abandonment of communion after securing the unanimous consent of three senior bishops with jurisdiction. She recently appointed the Rev. Canon Bob Moore as an ‘interim pastoral presence’ in the diocese.
 
A website maintained by the group Remain Episcopal in the Diocese of San Joaquin reports that Canon Moore will embark on a five-day listening tour of the diocese from Jan. 21-25. The tour is scheduled to conclude with a day-long rally at Church of the Saviour, Hanford, Calif., on Jan. 26. The Remain Episcopal announcement states that “the title of this event, ‘Moving Forward, Welcoming All,’ expresses the desire of Remain Episcopal membership that their diocese be rebuilt with an inclusive and Christ-centered message of love and salvation, rather than a judgmental attitude that demands schism.”
 
Bishop Jefferts Schori was unable to obtain the necessary consent of all three senior bishops to inhibit Bishop Robert Duncan  of Pittsburgh, who was charged with the same offense as Bishop Schofield by the Title 4 Review Committee. Members of Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh (PEP) announced that the organization has received tax-exempt status from the IRS, which PEP board member Lionel Deimel said “represents an important milestone” for the organization.
 
“Some people have been reluctant to make larger contributions because such gifts were understood not to be tax-deductible,” said Mr. Deimel, who coordinated the IRS application process. “As our diocese moves closer to crisis, the IRS ruling will make it easier for PEP to obtain the resources it needs to educate Pittsburgh Episcopalians and to co-ordinate activities among leaders and parishes.”
 
Bishop Jack Leo Iker of Fort Worth said Jan. 15 he had recently received a letter  from Bishop Jefferts Schori threatening him with a violation of his ordination vows. In order to inhibit Bishop Iker on that charge, a majority of the Fort Worth standing committee would need to consent.
 
In a Jan. 16 letter sent to clergy and published on the diocesan website, Bishop Iker said that the Rt. Rev. Sam Hulsey, retired Bishop of Northwest Texas, had been host for an organizational meeting at his Fort Worth residence for all clergy “who are committed to keeping this diocese in The Episcopal Church, no matter what.” Bishop Iker reported that he was not given a list of those invited, but said “I understand that only two or three rectors attended and that the rest were a handful of retired priests and a couple of deacons.”
 
Steve Waring
 
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