You are here
CHESAPEAKE, VA: Southern VA Bishop Allows DEPO for Anglo-Catholic Parish
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
December 26, 2010
The Bishop of Southern Virginia, the Rt. Rev. Herman 'Holly' Hollerith has allowed the Anglo-Catholic parish of St. Bride's Church (Episcopal/Anglican) in Chesapeake and its rector Fr. R. Stephen Powers to accept Episcopal Pastoral Oversight, sometimes known as Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (DEPO), the first time this has happened in the history of the diocese.
Fr. Powers told VOL that he is very grateful for Bishop Hollerith's generosity. At the heart of the request is this one question: Is there room for one Anglo-Catholic parish in this inclusive Diocese? Is there room for a theological minority?
The priest, a US Navy Chaplain (ret), said the innovations, especially women's ordination made by the Episcopal Church but also the sexuality concerns, made it necessary for the laity on the Vestry to unanimously seek alternative oversight.
With the bishop's approval, the parish has come under the pastoral care of The Rt. Rev. William Skilton, Bishop Suffragan South Carolina (ret). He recently made his first pastoral visit to the parish.
In an e-mail to VOL Skilton said he had accepted the invitation by Bishop Hollerith to offer Episcopal Pastoral care to this wonderful faith community and look forward to returning in 2011 for a Pastoral Visit and for the Rite of Confirmation.
"For a number of reasons, I have requested that this arrangement not be called DEPO. I also offer this ministry to St. Anthony of Padua in Hackensack, NJ with an arrangement begun with Bishop John P. Croneberger and continuing with Bishop Mark M. Beckwith the current Bishop of Newark."
Bishop Skilton presently serves as Assistant Bishop of the Dominican Republic serving together with the Rt. Rev. Julio Cesar Holguin. He served there as a Deacon and was later priested in La Romana. He then served as Vicar of Epiphany, Santo Domingo. He was, more recently, Bishop Suffragan of South Carolina.
Bishop Skilton will return in late Spring to administer the episcopal Sacrament of Holy Confirmation to several new confirmands.
Bishop Hollerith was not available for comment.
END
