DIOCESE OF TENNESSEE: Canon to the Ordinary Jumps TEC ship for Rome
The Rt Rev'd John Bauerschmidt,
Bishop of Tennessee
December 18, 2018
Late in October, Canon Petiprin shared with me his intention to be received as a member of the Roman Catholic Church sometime in the immediate future. This was new information for me, and an unexpected development.
Canon Petiprin has offered his resignation as Canon to the Ordinary. I have accepted it, and it will become effective on December 31st.
Canon Petiprin has assured me of his gratitude to all of us for the opportunity to minister with the clergy and people of the Diocese of Tennessee. I am grateful to him as a colleague and friend for his work here with us.
This is, of course, a major transition for Canon Andrew and his family. This development in their lives was not foreseen by him at the time of their arrival in Tennessee. Decisions like this are not made lightly or easily. He will be charting a new course for his ministry in the future. Please keep all of them in your prayers.
It is also a transition for the Diocese of Tennessee. I will be moving quickly to appoint a new Canon to the Ordinary in early January.
I am grateful to all of you for your support in this ministry which we share together in the Diocese of Tennessee. I am confident that God will continue to bless all of us in our various callings, and continue to strengthen the ties that connect us as members one of another in the Body of Christ.
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