Diocese of Northern Michigan officially notified

While it's not a great surprise to those who, like the Café, have been keeping track of the public announcements about dioceses and bishops consenting to the election of the new bishop in Northern Michigan, today the Presiding Bishop formally announced the "failed election" of Kevin Thew Forrester.

The Presiding Bishop's letter follows:

__________________
July 27, 2009

Linda Piper
President, Standing Committee
Diocese of Northern Michigan

Dear Linda,

As Presiding Bishop, and in accordance with Canon III.11.5, I am writing to inform you that I have not received from a majority of the Standing Committees of the dioceses consent to the ordination of the bishop-elect within the required 120 days.

Therefore I am declaring the election null and void and with this letter hereby giving notice to the Standing Committee of the diocese and to the bishop-elect.

Your servant in Christ,

Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate


cc: The Rev. Kevin Thew Forrester
The Rt. Rev. Clay Matthews, Bishop for Pastoral Development
The Rev. Canon Gregory Straub, Secretary of the General Convention

Posted by Nicholas Knisely on July 27, 2009 6:02 PM | |
Comments (2)

Something has gone awry here, I think. Did Fr. Forrester or the rest of the National Church make too of his Lay Buddhist ordination? Because practicing Buddhist meditation or being a lay Buddhist practitioner need have nothing to do with being a faithful, committed Christian. I practice vipassana meditation and find it gives me the psychological tools I need to be less reactive, more loving and centered. I suspect it's the idea of "ordination" that has pointed the issue unduly.

(Moderator's note: Thanks for your post, Mother Barbara. Please use your whole name next time.)

Posted by MthrBarbara [TypeKey Profile Page] | July 28, 2009 6:02 AM

I don't doubt the Holy Spirit is calling Fr. Forrester to HIGHER service than mere Episcopal episcopacy...

JC Fisher

Posted by tgflux [TypeKey Profile Page] | July 28, 2009 10:18 PM

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