San Joaquin Standing Committee not recognized as official, Presiding Bishop says

From Episcopal News Online [boldface mine]:

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on January 25 wrote to inform each member of the standing committee elected at the last convention of the Fresno-based Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin that she does not recognize them as the standing committee of that diocese. She also assured continuing Episcopalians of financial and legal support in reconstituting the diocese.

Jefferts Schori, in a letter delivered January 26 to the committee's eight members, cited their unanimous vote to disaffiliate with The Episcopal Church (TEC) and their "attempt to organize as the standing committee of an entity that identifies itself as an Anglican Diocese of the Province of the Southern Cone," actions which violate church canons.

"In light of your recent actions, I find that you have been and are unable to well and faithfully fulfill your duties as members of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin under Canon I.17.8," she wrote. Canon I.17.8 provides that anyone accepting an office in the church "shall well and faithfully perform the duties of that office in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of this Church and of the Diocese in which the office is being exercised."

"Accordingly, with this letter I inform you that I do not recognize you as the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin," she wrote. "I regret the decisions that you have made to attempt to take the Diocese out of The Episcopal Church and the necessary consequences of these actions." The letter was delivered by overnight mail the day of "Moving Forward, Welcoming All" a gathering of faithful Episcopalians at the Church of the Saviour in Hanford, about 30 miles south of Fresno. . .

"The Presiding Bishop has asked for the formulation of a broad based steering committee on the local level who will work with her and her Office in a variety of ways, including working with her on a process for the calling of a special convention," said the Rev. Dr. Charles Robertson, canon to the Presiding Bishop.

"This convention will, among other things, elect a new Standing Committee and make provision for an interim Bishop. It is unclear when the special convention will be called," Robertson said. . .

Unconfirmed reports also surfaced earlier in the week on various websites that Schofield has fired six of the eight standing committee members who had supported the convention vote, but were beginning to question realignment with the Southern Cone. Because of those doubts, Schofield allegedly had determined they were no longer able to serve.

Jefferts Schori held out the possibility of reconciliation to standing committee members. "A future declaration of adherence to the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, and, for clergy, a reaffirmation of the Declaration of Conformity, will once again make you eligible for election to office in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin," she said in the letter to standing committee members. "I give thanks for your service in the past, and pray that it may once again be a blessing to this Diocese."

Read it all.