Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Daniel Martins Approved as Springfield Bishop


From The Living Church-

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has informed the Diocese of Springfield that the Rev. Daniel H. Martins has received sufficient consents from bishops and standing committees to be consecrated as the diocese’s 11th bishop.

The diocese announced on Christmas Day that Martins had received consents from a majority of the Episcopal Church’s standing committees. The diocese said then that Martins had received consents from 64 standing committees, well past the required majority of 56.

In an Oct. 16 letter [PDF], the Diocese of San Joaquin’s standing committee and bishop expressed their “grave concerns about the election” of Martins. With that letter, the bishop and standing committee expressed their belief that Martins “supported and voted to attempt to remove the diocese from the Episcopal Church” and that “it is implicit in his writings and actions that he clearly holds the belief that a Diocese may leave this Church unilaterally, which is contrary to our understanding of Anglicanism and the polity of the Episcopal Church.”

Martins disputed those interpretations of his writing and actions, and several prominent General Convention leaders expressed their support in an open letter dated Nov. 1.

The group Concerned Laity of the Diocese of Springfield also endorsed the bishop-elect in an open letter.

The presiding bishop’s office will continue receiving decisions from bishops and standing committees until Feb. 16.

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2011/1/4/bishop-elect-martins-one-step-closer-to-consecration

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