Three parishes in the Diocese of Albany has begun the process to seek “delegated Episcopal oversight” (DEPO). In a twist, these are parishes looking for a less conservative bishop than Bishop Love of the Diocese of Albany. Originally DEPO was created as a way to allow conservative congregations to find more like minded bishops if they found their local bishop objectionable.
From a report in the Times Union:
“The parishes would remain within the jurisdiction of the Albany diocese, but pastoral care of the Albany parishes could possibly be delegated to the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York, which is based in Syracuse.
[..]The parishes of St. Andrew’s in Albany, St. George’s in Schenectady and St. Luke’s in Saranac Lake have been identified as participating in the discussions.St. Luke’s pastor the Rev. Ann S. Gaillard described the matter as an “internal political issue” and declined to discuss it any further.
St. Andrew’s has scheduled a forum on DEPO at 11:15 a.m., Sunday, for its parishioners. The parish pastor, the Rev. Mary Robinson White, was not available to discuss the situation.
Bishop Gladstone B. Adams III of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York participated in the December meeting Love held with clergy from different parishes about DEPO.
Adams said he is cooperating with Love.”
There were discussions in the Diocese of South Carolina about more mainstream Episcopal congregations doing something similar with Bishop Dorsey Henderson offering to step into that role at the time. Does anyone know if anything came of that, or if such arrangements are still in effect?
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The Times-Union article sent shock waves through many Albany parishes. How many decide to seek DEPO -- how many despair of working effectively with Bishop Love -- remains to be seen.
Albany became a divided diocese in 2004, when Bishops Bena and Herzog pushed it to affiliate with the late, unlamented, Network. Some of us cautioned against taking that vote, arguing that however it went, an angry minority would be left behind. That 40% of parish delegations voted against affiliation proved us right.
The approval of three homophobic canons at Albany's 2008 convention, and abusive treatment of resolutions put forward by progressive and moderate Episcopalians, widened fractures in the diocese. So did Bishop Love's harsh response to New York State's acceptance of same sex marriage.
Can DEPO help Albany heal? Not unless Bishop Love takes it as a report card on the early years of his episcopate and reaches out to those of us who differ with him. "Can we talk?" Bonnie Anderson asked when she visited Albany in early 2008? Alas, four years on, the answer seems to be "No!"
Robert T. Dodd
Bishop Love of the Diocese of Albany is currently providing DEPO for two conservative parishes in Connecticut.
Chris, DEPO is out there, but I don't think it is widespread. Bishop Little of Northern Indiana oversees some parishes in the Diocese of Ohio under a relationship with Bishop Hollingsworth. Bishop Salmon used to do some informal oversight under an arrangement with Bishop Chane. I am pretty sure DEPO or something like DEPO is in place in a few other diocese
Are there actually any conservative parishes using this, or did they all finally leave and join ACNA,etc? How ironic if liberal parishes are actually the only ones using it.
Chris Harwood
DEPO can work both ways. I'll be interested to read the outcome. Please keep us up to date.