Bishop Schofield Withdraws from Lambeth

Posted on: July 15, 2008

Bishop John-David Schofield of the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin was thrilled to learn that Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams continues to recognize him as a bishop in good standing and in communion with the See of Canterbury, according to the Rev. Canon Bill Gandenberger, canon to the ordinary of the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin.

Because of health concerns about the effect of another long trip so soon after the Global Anglican Future Conference, and with his primary concern about his status with the Communion already settled, Bishop Schofield has decided to withdraw from the Lambeth Conference. The decision was announced in a letter written July 15 by Presiding Bishop Gregory Venables of the Southern Cone.

In his letter, addressed to Bishop Schofield and the diocese, Bishop Venables shared a clarifying statement he received from Archbishop Williams:

“I understand that Bishop John-David Schofield has been accepted as a full member of the episcopal fellowship of the Province of the Southern Cone within the Anglican Communion and as such cannot be regarded as having withdrawn from the Anglican Communion. However, it is acknowledged that his exact status (especially given the complication surrounding the congregations associated with him) remains unclear on the basis of the general norms of Anglican Canon Law, and this constitutes one of the issues on which we hope for assistance from the Windsor Continuation Group.

“Bishop Schofield has elected to decline the invitation to the Lambeth Conference issued to him last year although that decision does not signal any withdrawal from the Communion. I hope there may be further careful reflection to clarify the terms on which he will exercise his ministry.”

Bishop Venables said he supported Bishop Schofield’s decision to withdraw from the conference “given the rigors of international travel and the work that there is to do in the diocese.” Bishop Venables also chastised Bishop Jerry Lamb of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin for what he said were statements and demands “that miss the mark of Christian leadership and fall short of what many consider propriety.”

This article comes from The Living Church Foundation
http://www.livingchurch.org/

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