The Rev. Canon Brian Cox, one of two clergy appointed by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to serve as an “interim pastoral presence”   in the Diocese of San Joaquin, told The Living Church that a search is underway for a location at which to hold an organizing convention on March 29, at which time representatives to that convention will elect a provisional bishop.

The process of electing a provisional bishop is described in Title 3, canon 13, sections 1-3 of the constitution and canons of The Episcopal Church.

Canon Cox and the Rev. Canon Robert Moore recently completed a four-day listening tour in the diocese. He said he and Canon Moore “met with individuals and groups from one end of the diocese to the other” and that the Feb. 19-22 listening tour had been “very fruitful.” He declined to provide an attendance estimate, noting that numbers are not always an accurate reflection of whether an event met or exceeded expectations. “We did meet with a broader coalition of people,” he said.

Bishop John-David Schofield of San Joaquin objected to the listening tour and informed canons Cox and Moore in a Feb. 15 letter, saying in part, “under no circumstances are you welcome to hold meetings in this diocese or to ask permission of clergy or other leaders to do so.” Bishop Schofield did invite the two to “deal directly with me” and offered to clear space on his schedule for a meeting at his office.

Canon Cox said he and Canon Moore only learned about Bishop Schofield’s letter on Feb. 21. He said they do not plan a formal response, particularly since Bishop Schofield is under inhibition and therefore prohibited from functioning as a bishop of The Episcopal Church.

“I have known and respected Bishop Schofield for a long time and feel it is sad that it has come to this,” Canon Cox said.

Steve Waring

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