Saturday, November 15, 2008

It is done. Now the work begins.

UPDATE II:
Resolution for Admission to the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, meeting in its 26th Annual Convention, does hereby accept the provision made by the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, and the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth does hereby immediately enter into membership with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone as a full and equal constituent member of such province, and the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth does hereby accede to the authority of the Constitution and Canons of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone to the extent such Constitution and Canons are not contrary to Holy Scripture and the teaching of the one holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

Clergy - 73 for, 20 against
Lay - 98 for, 28 against

78 percent for, 22 percent against

Letter read from Gregory Venables welcoming "diocese" into the province.
------------------------------
UPDATE:
Clergy -- 92 ballots cast with one invalid ballot Lay-- 127 valid ballots cast

A. Preamble
Clergy - 73 for, 18 against
Lay -- 101 for, 26 against

B. Authority of General Convention
Clergy -- 72 for, 19 against
Lay -- 102 for, 25 against

C. Deputies to General Convention
Clergy --71 for, 19 against
Lay -- 103 for, 24 against

D. Canons
Clergy - 72 for , 19 against
Lay - 102 for, 25 against

----------------------------

After almost no debate -- everything has been said too many times already-- the vote was taken. Bp. Iker has said there were to be no demonstrations of any kind, but the room seems subdued, almost weary. But I may be projecting my own emotions here. It is long past time for this to be over.

As we wait for the results of the vote, we are being shown a video about the diocese of Peru. Lots of people wandering around, getting water, quietly chatting. The Rt. Rev. H. William Godfrey, bishop of the diocese, is addressing the convention. He also preached at the opening Eucharist yesterday. He gets another standing ovation at the conclusion of his video and address.

Then we hear the reports of the Canterbury ministries at the University of Texas at Arlington and Texas Christian University, followed by the report of the Corporation of the Diocese. Dr.Frank Salazar. Check the delegates statement for the objections to the actions of the trustees,

Then came the report of the Hispanic ministries of the diocese, Camp Crucis. People are beginning to get a bit restless.

Fr. Jay Atwood just walked in with the results. When the Camp Crucis director is finished we will get the results.

Clergy -- 92 ballots cast with one invalid ballot
Lay-- 127 valid ballots cast

Prop. A -- Preamble
Clergy - 73 for, 18 against
Lay -- 101 for, 26 against

B. Authority of General Convention
Clergy -- 72 for, 19 against
Lay -- 102 for, 25 against

C. Deputies to General Convention
Clergy --71 for, 19 against
Lay -- 103 for, 24 against

D. Canons
Clergy - 72 for , 19 against
Lay - 102 for, 25 against
.
So to absolutely no one's surprise, they all passed by about 80 percent to 20 percent. As the announcement ended, some wag in the gallery turned on music -- "Hit the Road, Jack."

Jack was not amused. Nor were the many people who are remaining in the Episcopal Church. We have worked VERY hard to be respectful and collegial, and this one "wit" undid all our work.

Now we are on to come canonical changes. All are adopted by voice vote. Resolution to join the Southern Cone will be voted on by secret ballot. It will be effective at the adjournment of the convention, according to Bp. Iker.

6 comments:

Lisa Fox said...

I'm reminded of an Emily Dickinson poem: "After great pain, a formal feeling comes."

My prayers for all of you in Fort Worth.

Leonard said...

The real journey begins for those who think they are waving goodbye...no matter, they can always come up with another person, or group, to blame for fear and hate driven lack of faith.

David said...

It's a shame to see Bp. Godfrey involved in this nonsense. I've met him a time or two and he's a very nice man.

I hate to see him leading people astray.*

*(not in a spiritual sense, tho' I'm firmly on the side of TEC & don't agree with the Southern Cone's stance - but people have the right to choose in that respect. I meant in the legal sense, in both an ecclesiastical and a secular way.)

SUSAN RUSSELL said...

prayers from pasadena!

Doug said...

We are all thinking and praying for you. I had my first taste of the Episcopal Church at St. Luke in the Meadow back in the late 80's and could never go back. It was a lovely, high church. I hope it's one of the four or five staying around!

Mary Beth said...

Prayers for you all. For us all.