I am ashamed of my brother bishop and it is incredible to me that he would continue to bring such shame on the House of Bishops and our entire Church. He wounds the Body of Christ because of his own pride and stubbornness. So tragic...

During a brief conversation with Bishop Bennison at a clergy conference here in Pennsylvania, I confronted him with his public statement about all witnesses at his trial committing perjury. He said something to the effect that he didn't exactly say that. I was told by several witnesses that he did. I wrote him the following letter following our conversation:

The Rt. Rev. Charles Bennison, Jr.
Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
240 South 4th Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 19106 October 6, 2010

Dear Charles,

I write you out of a sense of great sadness after our conversation before the clergy conference yesterday morning. Your position came across to me “loud and clear” as they say when speaking ship to ship on marine radio bands.

I write you also out of a profound sense of my own imperfections which are and have been legion. At least that consciousness, which causes me sometimes to tremble, enables me also to tremble at the apologetic for remaining in your position which I heard you express yesterday: that the Church Court findings which un-inhibited you, are based primarily on the letter of the law, not the spirit.

All the repeated appeals and admonitions for you to retire immediately, which have come from so many and varied people, sources, official and unofficial bodies, are based on the Spirit of the Law, about which our Lord Jesus Christ was so adamant. It is that you persist in your office as Bishop now by the letter of the law, not the Spirit—that is most saddening to see.

That you still hold to the idea that what you did, once upon a time, was “about right” leads me to only more profound levels of sadness.

That you still hold to the idea of injustice and being victimized, reminds me of an intervention attempt I participated in at St David’s recently. The person in question, causing considerable financial and personal havoc in his family, was thoroughly entrenched in a victim position and thus enable to be helped, unable to start a healing process in the pain to self and loved ones. Lord have mercy.

But, one bright thing I can share with you: fear not for retirement. The graces and mercies that abound here, and that await you, could fill you with great joy, which might even pass all of your or our understanding. Plus, the Bennison family name, not only your own, would rise firmly in the direction of honor as exemplified by your father.

Sincerely and your friend in Christ,

The Rev. Alexander McCurdy III

cc: The Rev. Frank Allen, Rector

[I'm sorry that this is in public, but...]

I am ashamed of my brother bishop

Bishop Chris, as he (lamentably) IS your "brother bishop" will you PLEASE talk to him??? (Ascertain the extent of his krazy, if nothing else?) For the love of Christ, please Bishop Chris!

Respectfully,
JC Fisher