Episcopal Church investigates bishop

From South Carolina-

The Episcopal Church has launched an investigation of Bishop Mark J. Lawrence a year after the Diocese of South Carolina voted to distance itself from the national church because of disagreements stemming from the 2003 consecration of an openly gay bishop.

Two years ago, the diocese, under the leadership of Lawrence, voted to strengthen its autonomy and "begin withdrawing" from the church. In February, it changed its constitution, asserting the authority of the local diocese over the national church. The national church's accusation of abandonment sets the stage for disciplinary action.

On Wednesday, the diocese published a letter from Lawrence and the Very Rev. Paul C. Fuener, president of the Standing Committee, informing local Episcopalians of the "serious charges" made by the national church and publicizing 63 pages of materials the church is using to support its claim.

A Sept. 30 letter from a church attorney requested of the diocese that it submit documents concerning Lawrence's ordination, meeting minutes and other correspondence. Various letters, reports, articles and other material are under review by the General Convention's Disciplinary Board for Bishops, whose president is the Rt. Rev. Dorsey Henderson, retired bishop of Upper South Carolina. In a statement, Henderson said that information was obtained from "communicants within the Diocese of South Carolina" and "not brought forward by the Presiding Bishop's office, or by the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church."

More here-

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/oct/06/episcopal-church-investigates-bishop-A/

also here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_130067_ENG_HTM.htm