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An article in Every Voice Network posted February 17, 2004 begins: "Conservatives continue to be their own worst enemies as their takeover drive continues to crumble from within and without. Their latest self-inflicted defeat came at the Eames Commission itself." Near the end of the article one finds the following: "Or you can become paranoid and imagine that it's all part of an even deeper stealth strategy that will be unveiled soon." The World didn't have long to wait. Violating the Eames Commission's request not to take precipitous action before the completion of their report, a confirmation service led by bishops acting without permission from the Diocese of Ohio, was conducted by five retired Episcopal bishops and one foreign one that violates the Episcopal Constitution and Canon law. Under Episcopal law and liturgy, confirmations must be approved by the head of the host diocese - in this case Bishop J. Clark Grew II of Cleveland. The issue of oversight will top the agenda when the nation's Episcopal bishops meet behind closed doors at Navasota, Texas, starting Friday. Sunday's confirmations of about 110 people. conducted by five retired Episcopal bishops and one bishop from the international diocese. constitute a warning that if the bishops don't give the dissidents what they want, more protests and disruptions are inevitable. `"This is an emergency measure we took responding to the controversial actions of last summer...We came in and we confirmed about 100 people. Many of them did not want to be confirmed by their bishop," said one of the self-styled Ttraditionalist Bishops. According to the EveryVoice article the legal advisor appointed to the Eames Commission reportedly said he didn't see how the AAC was going to persuade anyone of its position on "alternative oversight" and that it would be better for him to visit the U.S. later after the House of Bishops had met and after the AAC had had more time to reassess its position. The founding documents for the Network of Confessing Dioceses and Parishes pledge conformity to canon law but a high level strategist for the American Anglican Council spelled out in an internal AAC memo made public in the Washington Post prior to the founding of the Network that illegal actions would ensue. Beliefnet carries a related and more informative article entitled: "Six Episcopal Churches Move to Split from Ohio Diocese - A ceremony on Sunday may kick off the long-feared schism" The following is an excerpt from a recent press release by the American Anglican Council: Source: AAC News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: In an unprecedented and historic move, five senior [retired] Episcopal (ECUSA) bishops, and one international diocesan bishop, crossed diocesan boundaries and confirmed 110 individuals at a multi-congregational Service of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist in Akron, Ohio. Hundreds, representing five Episcopal churches and one Anglican church plant, from various communities in northern Ohio gathered Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 2:00 PM at Presentation of Our Lord Orthodox Church.... In addition to Bishop Benitez, those participating in the confirmation were Bishop C. FitzSimons Allison, retired Bishop of South Carolina; Bishop William Cox, retired Assistant Bishop of Oklahoma; Bishop Alex Dickson, retired Bishop of West Tennessee, and Bishop William Wantland, retired Bishop of Eau Claire. Bishop Wantland was celebrant at the Eucharist, Bishop Allison preached and the Rt. Rev. Robinson Cavalcanti, Bishop of Northern Brazil, was a special guest, illustrating international support for the measures. The six congregations whose laity requested emergency measures are Church of the Holy Spirit, Akron; St. Anne’s in the Field, Madison; St. Stephen’s, East Liverpool; St. Barnabas, Bay Village; St. Luke’ s, Akron; and Hudson Anglican Fellowship, Hudson. |