Frank to the Patriarch: I write to you with a heavy heart, having reviewed the November 17 press release from the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church and having pondered it in my prayers for many weeks. I know that our bonds of fraternal affection and respect have been strained by an action of our General Convention: namely the consent to the election of the bishop-elect of the Diocese of New Hampshire and his subsequent Consecration. I am keenly aware that for you this is clearly contrary to a plain reading of Scripture and Holy Tradition. According to the DECR's press release," the Biblical texts about the condemnation of homosexualism are clear and unequivocal." Therefore our actions seem to say to you that the Episcopal Church has gone beyond the bounds of what is morally acceptable.

Frank to the Primates of the Anglican Communion, in a letter dated August 19, 03:

I write to you with a heavy heart, knowing that, in some instances, our bonds of fraternal affection and respect have been strained by an action of our General Convention: namely the consent to the election of the bishop -elect of the Diocese of New Hampshire. I am keenly aware that for many of you this is clearly contrary to a plain reading of Scripture, and in the con texts in which you live, it is unthinkable. Should you be of that view, our
action would say to you that the Episcopal Church has gone beyond the bound s of what is morally acceptable.

Frank to the Patriarch: I see my ministry now as helping our church to find a way forward that both preserves the unity of the church and honors the deeply held divergent points of view among us.

Frank to the Primates: I see my ministry now as helping our church to find a way forward that both preserves the unity of the church and honors the deeply held divergent points of view among us.

Frank to the Patriarch: I am now obliged to ask what potential gift is buried beneath the surface of this present situation. One of Metropolitan Philaret's prayers, which I say daily, contains the phrase: "I am ready for all, I accept all." Therefore, I find myself asking God to show me how this occasion might be used for the good and to build up the life we share in Christ.

Frank to the Primates: As much as I would have preferred that the attention of the Convention, and indeed the media, be focused elsewhere, I am now obliged to ask what
potential gift is buried beneath the surface of this present situation. On e of the prayers I say daily contains the phrase: I am ready for all, I accept all. Therefore, I find myself asking God to show me how this occasion might be used for the good and to build up the life we share in Christ.

Frank to the Patriarch: I write now in the hope of answering some questions raised in the press release which, I note, was released by the DECR and not by you personally. First, I must say in the strongest possible terms that if I believed in any part of my being that the consent to this election was unfaithful to an authentic way of reading Scripture and contrary to the leading of the Holy Spirit, I could no longer serve as the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. I pray that you know I firmly believe, as you do, that the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God and contain all things necessary to salvation. That is the oath I took at my ordination and my life is rooted and grounded in this understanding.

Frank to the Primates: I write now in the hope of answering some questions a number of you have raised. First, I must say in strongest possible terms that if I believed in any part of my being that the consent to this election was unfaithful to an authentic way of reading Scripture and contrary to the leading of the Holy Spirit, I could no longer serve as the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. I pray that as most of you have come to know me over these years you know I firmly believe, as you do, that the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God and contain all things necessary to salvation. My life is rooted and grounded in this understanding.

Frank to the Patriarch: The difficulty before us is not about some of us believing that Scripture is the inspired Word of God and others not believing it is. How we have been shaped and formed as Christians and the context in which we live have a great deal to do with how we interpret various passages in the Bible and
the weight we give them in making moral decisions.

Frank to the Primates: Unfortunately, the difficulty before us is not about some of us believing that Scripture is the inspired Word of God and others not believing it is. How we have been shaped and formed as Christians and the context in which we live have a great deal to do with how we interpret various passages in the Bible and the weight we give them in making moral decisions.

Frank to the Patriarch: I have said on more than one occasion that, to my mind, consent to t his particular election does not mean we now have concluded discussion about
the matter of homosexuality which is of such concern in the life of our church and many others. The matter is far from resolved and there are strong o pinions on every side.

Frank to the Primates: Second, and very important, to my mind consent does not mean we now have clarity about the matter of homosexuality in the life of our church, and a vote to consent is not about this larger question. The matter is far from resolved and there are strong opinions on every side.

Frank to the Patriarch: There are also questions about the resolution passed by our Convention concerning "Rites: blessing of committed same gender relationships." The original form of the resolution called for the authorization of the development of rites for the blessing of same sex unions. This was rejected. Here I, and many others, were mindful of the Primates' letter following our meeting in Brazil. The resolution Convention passed recognizes the reality of a variety of local pastoral practices, without either endorsing or condemning the same, and calls for "continued prayer, study and discernment" under my direction.

Frank to the Primates: There have also been questions about the resolution passed by our Convention concerning Rites: blessing of committed same gender relationships. The original form of the resolution called for the authorization of the development of rites for the blessing of same sex unions, which would then have been considered by the General Convention in 06. This was rejected. Here I and many others were mindful of the Primates letter following our meeting in Brazil. The resolution Convention passed recognizes the reality o f a variety of local pastoral practices, without either endorsing or condemning the same, and calls for continued prayer, study and discernment under my direction.

Frank to the Patriarch: It is important to note that this in no way relates to Holy Matrimony, about which our teachings are clear. I say this because some reports following Convention falsely indicated we had departed from the teachings on marriage. I see the question on blessing same gender relationships as a quite separate matter from that of consenting to the New Hampshire election.

Frank to the Primates: It is important to note that this in no way relates to Holy Matrimony, about which our teachings are clear. I say this because some reports following Convention falsely indicated we had departed from the teachings on marriage. I see the question on blessing same gender relationships as a quite separate matter from that of consenting to the New Hampshire election.

Frank to the Patriarch: St. Paul once wrote: "Glory to God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine." These words give me strength and courage and open me continually to the mystery of God's ever-unfolding ways. May they sustain us all in the ministry we share, which is none other than Christ's continuing ministry of reconciling love.

Frank to the Primates: Glory to God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. These words of St. Paul give me strength and courage and open me continually to the mystery of God's ever-unfolding ways. May they sustain us all in the ministry we share, which is none other than Christ's continuing ministry of reconciling love.

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