South Carolina: vetoes TEC "accession clause"

The Diocese of South Carolina completed its 220th Convention and reports:


Two resolutions, both of which passed at the previous convention, passed again, by more than the required two-thirds margin in both the clergy and lay orders, amending the Diocesan Constitution. The first resolution removed the accession clause to the Canons of the Episcopal Church, and the second, enabled the Convention to meet more frequently than annually, if needed.
...
The weekend began Friday afternoon with a presentation by the Rt. Rev. Michael Nazir-Ali, former Bishop of Rochester, who now serves South Carolina as Visiting Bishop for Anglican Communion Relationships, on “Triple Jeopardy: The Challenge of Islam, Secularism and Multiculturalism.”

Although the diocese has voted to take out the accession clause from its canons and constitution, the courts have, to date, found that the clause of the National Canons still holds force over the dioceses due to the hierarchical and corporate nature of The Episcopal Church.

The Accession clause:
Title I.7.4 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.
All real and personal property held by or for the benefit of any Parish, Mission, or Congregation is held in trust for this Church [i.e., the Episcopal Church in the United States] and the Diocese thereof in which such Parish, Mission or Congregation is located. The existence of this trust, however, shall in no way limit the power and authority of the Parish, Mission or Congregation otherwise existing over such property so long as the particular Parish, Mission or Congregation remains a part of, and subject to, this Church and its Constitution and Canons.

Posted by Ann Fontaine on February 22, 2011 6:30 PM | |
Comments (6)

What a surprise that the convention voted to remove the accession clause from the canons.

June Butler

Posted by GrandmèreMimi [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 22, 2011 8:23 PM

Pssst, DioSC!

I think you're going to find that SanJoaquin/Pittsburgh/FortWorth Kool-Aid you've been drinking leaves a terrible aftertaste...

JC Fisher

Lord Christ, grant us reconciliation in Your Time.

Posted by tgflux [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 23, 2011 3:40 AM

And, (Lower) South Carolina, what is The Cause?

Meanwhile, in Upper South Carolina,

http://www.edusc.org/component/content/article/1/683-first-theological-council

Posted by John B. Chilton [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 23, 2011 7:04 AM

The accession required is in Constitution V.1. The question raised in SC is whether the accession to the law of the church required for the admission of a diocese into union with this Church must necessarily remain in place. Their view, in the retail world, is called "bait and switch."

What is cited above is the "Dennis Canon" -- which is also an area of concern, but isn't about accession to the C&C.

Posted by tobias haller [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 23, 2011 11:29 AM

Thanks for clarifying this Tobias.

Posted by Ann Fontaine [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 23, 2011 11:31 AM

This is not a surprising move at all. I do think it is quite sad that the Diocese of SC feels they must do so. I believe our national church has been extremely pastoral to this diocese along the way. Let's just pray that they diocese does not take the next step to formally leave TEC. I know many people within the diocese in Charleston who will eagerly remain Episcopal and loyal to TEC should this happen. Not all agree with the Standing Commission or the Bishop, although it does appear that the diocese has been hijacked by the far right's views and agenda. Regardless, the diocese, Standing Commission and Bishop are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Nobody can break the communion of Christ. We are still all one. However, I pray we will remain unified in the church. I feel strongly that TEC needs voices from all sides. The church has room for dissent. That's one of the great things about Anglicanism.

[Greetings first time commenter. In the future please sign your first and last names. (See comment policy.) - Thanks, eds.]

Posted by Froscoe1 [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 23, 2011 11:36 AM

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