Cowboying Bishop

Stand Firm has posted this letter from Bp. Jack Iker and "the sovereign Diocese of Fort Worth" to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori [The letter is also posted at the diocesan web site]:

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Dear Katharine,

I am shocked and saddened by the rude letter you released yesterday to Archbishop Greg Venables, concerning his visit this weekend to the Diocese of Fort Worth. Far from being "an unwarranted interference," he is coming at my request as an honored visitor and guest speaker.

You should know that under the canons this does not require either your approval or your support. You have no say in this matter. A diocesan bishop is free to invite other bishops to visit and speak in his diocese.

There are no efforts at reconciliation proceeding within this Province, which is one reason why faithful people continue to leave TEC in droves. Your attitude and actions simply reinforce alienation and bring further discord.

Once again, you are the one meddling in the internal affairs of this diocese, and I ask you to stop your unwelcome intrusions.

Faithfully in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker
Bishop of Fort Worth

cc: The Archbishop of Canterbury
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Ooooooooo, the bishop does NOT like it when anyone interfers in "his" diocese, does he? Remember the temper tantrum he threw when Bonnie Anderson had the temerity to come here at the invitation of Fort Worth Via Media?

But it's NOT OK when the primate of this province objects to another primate interfering in her province.

And while the canons may not say anything about it, the Windsor Report certainly does. And so do Anglican custom, collegiality and good manners.

But good manners aren't nearly as much fun as cowboying about to the cheers of the Stand Firm crowd.