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NASHOTAH, WI: Invitation to Episcopal Presiding Bishop to Preach Results in Resignations
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
February 20, 2014
An invitation by Dean Edward Salmon to Katharine Jefferts Schori to be the guest preacher at Nashotah House's historic seminary chapel has resulted in at least two resignations from that seminary's board. A memo from Bishop Jack Iker of the Diocese of Ft. Worth (confirmed by his staff) says he has resigned in protest as a trustee from the Nashotah House Board where he has served for the past 21 years. Bishop William Wantland (Diocese of Eau Claire, ret.) who presently serves as Assisting Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth has also distanced himself from the Nashotah action.
This action was taken in protest of the Dean's invitation to the Presiding Bishop of TEC to be a guest preacher in the seminary's chapel. Citing the lawsuits initiated by her against this Diocese, Bishop Iker notified the Board that he "could not be associated with an institution that honors her." Similarly, Bishop Wantland sent notification that he "will not take part in any functions at Nashotah" nor will he continue "to give financial support to the House as long as the present administration remains." He is an honorary member of the Board (without vote) and a life member of the Alumni Association."
Bishop Edward Salmon (formerly Bishop of South Carolina) is dean and is responsible for selecting all preachers for chapel. The matter was discussed at the last board meeting when Bishops [Robert] Duncan and (Jack) Iker were both at GAFCON. There was some disagreement among the trustees, but the sole discretion for such invitations lies with Bishop Salmon.
Asked if a woman bishop, Episcopal or Anglican, had ever been invited to lead worship or to celebrate at the Nashotah altar in its history, Bishop Keith L. Ackerman (Quincy ret.) replied, "never." He said the Board of Trustees is now discussing the matter.
She will not be celebrating, VOL has learned.
More recently, Jefferts Schori has been invited to receive an honorary doctorate at Oxford University, invited to speak at a C.S. Lewis symposium and preach at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
Below is a list of Nashotah House trustees.
1. THE RT. REV. KEITH L. ACKERMAN Vice-Chair
2. THE MOST REV. ROBERT W. DUNCAN
3. MRS. ELIZABETH G. ENGELS
4. MRS. KATHERINE P. HEIDT
5. MR. ALLAN E. IDING
6. THE RT. REV. JACK L. IKER
7. THE RT. REV. RUSSELL E. JACOBUS
8. THE REV. MARCUS A. KAISER
9. THE REV. EDWARD T. KELAHER
10. DR. JOHN J. KELLER
11. THE REV. CANON R. BRIEN KOEHLER
12. THE RT. REV. MARK J. LAWRENCE
13. THE RT. REV. WILLIAM H. LOVE
14. THE REV. RICHARD CORNISH MARTIN
15. THE RT. REV. DANIEL H. MARTINS Chair
16. THE REV. ANDREW C. MEAD
17. THE REV. CANON EDWARD R. MONK
18. MR. IDRIS G. REID
19. THE REV. FREDRICK A. ROBINSON
20. THE RT. REV. EDWARD L. SALMON, JR. Dean and President
21. THE REV. M. DOW SANDERSON
22. MR. RICHARD L. SCHWAAB
23. THE RT. REV. DABNEY T. SMITH
24. THE VERY REV. MARSHALL J. VANG
25. MR. WALTER VIRDEN III
26. THE REV. TERRENCE A. WELTY III
HONORARY TRUSTEES
27. MRS. FRANCES KELLER BARR
28. MRS. MARY S. KOHLER
29. THE RT. REV. JAMES W. MONTGOMERY
30. THE RT. REV. DONALD J. PARSONS
31. MR. GLENN R. SIMPSON
32. MRS. DOROTHY SPAULDING
33. THE RT. REV. WILLIAM C. WANTLAND
