Christ Church Takes Major Steps Toward Its MissionStatement of the Rev. Canon David H. Roseberry & the Vestry of Christ Church Plano Concerning Formal Dissolution of Relationship with Episcopal Church
September 15, 2006
Since the General Convention of the Episcopal Church (USA) in June 2006, Christ Church has been moving steadily toward its realignment with members of the Anglican Communion that share a common vision of ministry and mission. This process began with a public statement by the Christ Church vestry on June 24, 2006 stating our intention to disassociate from the Episcopal Church.
Today, Bishop James Stanton of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas has issued a “godly judgment”, an authority granted to him by the Canons of the Church, acknowledging our desire and need to disassociate, and has also signed a legal agreement granting us the title and ownership of our land and buildings. As consideration for the property, and to secure our title and allow the Diocese of Dallas to maintain their programs and ministries, we have agreed to pay $1.2 million to the diocese and to continue to service the existing debt on our property.
In addition, Bishop Stanton has extended his personal invitation for Bishop Bill Godfrey, the Bishop of Peru, to provide oversight of Christ Church and her clergy as we take our next steps. Bishop Godfrey is a long term friend of Christ Church. This temporary arrangement allows our parish to, out of necessity, separate from the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas but to remain in communion with our Anglican brothers and sisters in Christ.
We are very thankful to the Bishop of Dallas and his staff for their cooperative and clear efforts to assist in this process. In announcing this agreement, Bishop Stanton wrote to his diocese today: “The ministry of Christ Church has been an important part of our witness and its clergy and people are our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I maintain a great affection and admiration for this congregation and its leadership, and I wish them only God’s blessing.”
In God’s perfect timing, these positive steps have cleared the way for Christ Church to find a new home within the Anglican Communion. This is all part of “Chapter Two” at Christ Church, and we are thankful that God has provided a way forward in mission.
Statement of Bishop James M. Stanton, Diocese of Dallas
September 15, 2006
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As your bishop I have sought to lead this Diocese and its many parishes to build up the Body of Christ and fulfill the mission of His Church. As you may know, I have been in ongoing conversations with the leadership of Christ Episcopal Church in Plano and its rector, Fr. David Roseberry. Since their public statement of June 25th, they have strongly and consistently felt that their mission was being adversely affected by the conflicts and tensions resulting from actions and policies of the Episcopal Church.
I have worked to understand their situation and to seek a way forward with integrity. I came to the conclusion over time that there were irreconcilable differences between Christ Church and the Episcopal Church, differences that would necessitate their separation from the Episcopal Church and, consequently, from the Diocese of Dallas.
After much prayer, and laying the matter before our Standing Committee, and with their advice, I have issued a godly judgment permitting them to separate from our diocese. I have believed that this is essentially a pastoral matter, and as such should be dealt with in a genuine spirit of Christian charity and mission. I am pleased that all parties and every phase of our discussions have exemplified that spirit.
By action of the Trustees of the Corporation of the Diocese today, a contract for withdrawal is in place and will be respectfully honored by both Christ Church and the Diocese of Dallas. In consideration for their property they have agreed to assume the full indebtedness of the existing parish ($6.8 million) and made a lump sum payment to the Diocese of $1.2 million. This arrangement secures their title and helps our Diocese continue to pursue its mission over the next few years.
In many ways, clearly, this is a sad occasion for our Diocese. The ministry of Christ Church has been an important part of our witness and its clergy and people are our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I maintain a great affection and admiration for this congregation and its leadership, and I wish them only God's blessing.
I bear a pastoral concern for all our congregations, of course, and especially for some of our younger and smaller ones. The action of Christ Church to sever ties with the Episcopal Church is due to their particular circumstances. While they clearly do not support the actions and policies of the Episcopal Church, the decision of other parishes to remain in the Diocese of Dallas must not be seen as an endorsement of those same policies. All of us remain committed to bearing witness to the Lord Jesus Christ and to building up His Church.
Please continue to work and pray for all that God has called this Diocese to do. And pray for the whole Church.
In Christ,
The Rt. Rev. James M. Stanton
Bishop of Dallas
The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas
1630 N. Garrett Av.
Dallas, TX 75206
Office: (214) 826-8310
JUST IN: Check out the headline for this ENS article (one of the fastest postings of an ENS story I have ever seen). But the headline says it all. Here it is: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_77847_ENG_HTM.htm
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