NEWARK: Bishop Croneberger grants DEPO to St. Anthony of Padua
Church of St Anthony of Padua
72 Lodi St
Hackensack, N.J. 07601
Dear Friends in Christ,
On June 23, 2004 Bishop Croneberger delegated Episcopal Oversight of the Church of St Anthony of Padua to Bishop Skilton, Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina. After some discussion the vestry accepted this offer unanimously.
Some disappointment was expressed that oversight by a Forward in Faith Bishop was not offered. But Bishop Skilton is a good friend of St Anthony's and is especially well known to our Hispanic congregation.
St Anthony's accepted the offer in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes, and mindful of the strong witness of the Bishops and People of the Diocese of South Carolina to the authority of Scripture.
Details will be worked out between Bishop Skilton and Bishop Croneberger.
We look forward to the Episcopal Oversight of Bishop Skilton and new friendship with the Diocese of South Carolina. We view this development as a small part of the re-emergence of Anglican orthodoxy in this country.
Significant disagreements exist between us and Bishop Croneberger on important issues. St Anthony's reaffirms its witness to Catholic faith and practice, and to the fellowship of the world wide Anglican Communion.
We strongly reject Bishop Croneberger's opinion that those who support the historic all male priesthood of the Church Catholic violate the canons of the Church, and that Forward in Faith Bishops are some how unsuitable to be Visiting Bishops.Yet we are thankful for the opportunities that Delegated Oversight will afford us.
Very Truly Yours,
Jay W. McCann
Warden