The Bishop of Virginia, the Rt. Rev. Peter J. Lee, has created a special committee to facilitate the unity of the diocese in the wake of the divisions caused by the 74th General Convention and to follow up on the work of the diocese’s 2004 reconciliation commission.
A Nov. 11 press release from the diocese stated the purpose of the special committee was “to help churches continuing in conflict over the decisions of the 74th General Convention in 2003 to get on with their mission in as close a union as possible with the diocese.”
Bishop Lee appointed the diocesan chancellor, Russell V. Palmore, Jr., as chair of the committee. The other members of the committee are standing committee president the Rev. Caroline Parkinson, rector of Grace Church, The Plains; the Rev. John Yates, rector of The Falls Church, Falls Church; the Rev. Andrew Merrow, rector, St. Mary’s, Arlington; former diocesan chancellor Hugo Blankingship, a communicant of The Falls Church; and Thomas Yates, former junior warden of Truro Church, Fairfax.
Twenty Virginia clergy met with Bishop Lee in September to discuss the divisions within the Episcopal Church over the actions of the 74th General Convention and the ramifications for the diocese.
The Rev. Canon Martyn Minns, rector of Truro and one of the 20 clergy, told The Living Church the problem has not gone away.
“None of us wish to get into a lengthy legal fight,” Canon Minns said, noting that Bishop Lee had “responded courteously and the task force is a first result” of the process.
The Rev. Robin Adams, rector of the Church of the Word, Gainesville, noted the “tone of our meeting [with Bishop Lee] was very respectful toward the bishop and appreciative of his patient leadership in the aftermath of the divisive actions of the 2003 General Convention. The stress on the participating congregations was clearly explained to Bishop Lee.”
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