Lawrence redux?
Tobias Haller has an excellent assessment of Mark Lawrence's situation. At the moment, Lawrence seems to have fallen one Standing Committee short of the consents needed to become the bishop of South Carolina. Note Tobias' last paragraph in which he suggests that South Carolina may elect Lawrence again in the hope that next time he will get the necessary votes. I don't know the plans of the diocesan leadership, but that's what I would do if I were them.
For Richard Lyon:
I think that we can expect to see efforts to involve Rowan Williams and the primates in this matter. I can see it being presented as a "dispute" to be arbitrated by the primital vicar.
Posted by Jim Naughton | March 14, 2007 11:56 AM
The Primates were only to settle matters that are incapable of settlement through the due processes of a given province. Our canons are quite clear on the process for the election of bishops. One must be approved by a majority. One has 120 days (and in this case 123 days) to produce evidence of a majority decision, which in the case of the standing committees consists of documents signed by a majority of the members of each committee. This is not rocket science.
Posted by tobias haller | March 16, 2007 11:39 AM