Our Continued Duty for Christian Love

As our brothers and sisters who wish to depart make this difficult and painful decision, our thoughts and prayers can only be that they find a spiritual place more suited to the judgments they make. The Diocese of Florida, and every one of you individually, must continue to view those departing as Christian brothers and sisters - loved by our God and deserving our continuing prayers.

I pray that they would view us in the same manner and spirit.

The Fundamental Issue

The thoughts of some of God's faithful have turned to separation. Their argument with the rest of the Diocese of Florida continues to center on (a) with whom others are willing to sit at the Lord's table and (b) to whom the rest of the Diocese may send their donations. Some of these individuals have chosen to leave the Episcopal Church.

The vast majority of the members of the Diocese of Florida do not share the views of those who are leaving.

* For instance, at St. John's - Tallahassee, many may have left, but over a thousand have stayed.

* Christ Church San Pablo is a strong and growing mission of the Church with about 130+ people on Sunday

* We have clear indications of support for a renewed, robust Episcopal outreach at other churches being vacated by those

separating from the Episcopal Church.

I have stated clearly and repeatedly that this is an orthodox Episcopal Diocese, conservative in nature, which is working consistently to move the House of Bishops and the General Convention in the direction specified by the Windsor Report. This is a "Windsor Report Diocese," and I am a "Windsor Report Bishop."

This means that our Diocesan Convention and I have accepted, among others, the following guidelines

1. Renouncing the practice of elevating to Bishop individuals who are living in committed sexual relationships outside of marriage.

2. Respect for the history and tradition of our church, opposing other bishops coming into our diocese uninvited.

3. Emphasis on the bonds of affection in the Anglican Communion, respecting the thoughts and prayerful support of Anglicans around the world rather than acting unilaterally in matters of great theological and spiritual moment.

I believe that this is how Our Lord wants us to grapple with these issues: prayerfully, respectfully, and collegially. While the choice may be an unhappy one for some, it is a clear one: one approach calls for us to work together in relationship; the other expects us to separate from those with whom we disagree.

Others - particularly those who have departed - understand their call in a different way. Again, we must respect them even as we disagree with them.

Actions We Have Taken

Several Rectors have announced that they have left the Episcopal Church. As a result of action taken today by me as Bishop and confirmed by the Standing Committee of the Diocese these individuals have been inhibited from the performance of priestly duties in the Episcopal Church.

In one case, the Rector and lay leaders of Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park have publicly proclaimed their attempt to separate from us and publicized their desire to affiliate with the Diocese of Rwanda in Africa. We have directed legal counsel to contact the former Rectors, Wardens, and Vestry of the Church in order to remind them of their legal and canonical responsibilities and to require them to arrange for returning real and personal property of the Diocese of Florida. All the while, healthy life continues at Grace Episcopal Day School, one of the premier primary Episcopal schools in our diocesan system.

Under Florida law these individuals - who have left our church - have a personal fiduciary responsibility to return to the Diocese assets that have been entrusted to them to advance the Episcopal mission. Any refusal to do so will be at their collective and individual legal peril. As a matter of Christian ethics, the responsibility is not only a fiduciary one but a solemn one.

While those staying and those departing might argue theological points, some legal points are quite clear.

1. These lands and buildings are deeded to, titled in, and owned by the Diocese of Florida.

2. The former Rectors, along with the Wardens and Vestries have a clear fiduciary relationship to the Diocese of Florida for the proper use of the properties.

3. The Episcopal Diocese of Florida must act as responsible stewards in resisting any effort to take Diocesan lands, buildings, or property for the purpose of serving another denomination.

It should also be noted that in the Episcopal Church, churches don't leave, although people might. Grace Church is still located in Orange Park, not in Rwanda, and it is very much a part of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida.

The Proper Stewardship of the Episcopal Diocese Going Forward

These difficulties in God's family do not absolve us from the Great Commission to "go and teach all nations." We as a Church are called by Jesus Christ to bring people to God through the Holy Spirit. It is that simple.

To do that, your Diocese will make certain that Episcopalians are able to worship the Lord in an Episcopal Church throughout all of our North Florida counties. We will ensure not only that priests are present to celebrate the Eucharist but also that there are buildings in which the celebration can be take place.

In short, our objective - our obligation - is to grow this Diocese, not to shrink it. It is with that objective in mind, loving the Lord our God with all we are and have and loving our neighbors as ourselves that we will move forward as a diocese through this time of controversy.

Please join me in continuing to pray for our Diocese.

Faithfully,

+John

The Rt. Rev. Samuel Johnson Howard is Bishop of Florida