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LOS ANGELES: St. Luke's Clergy temporarily inhibited by Bishop
[Los Angeles, February 15] In the latest action taken after St. Luke's Church, La Crescenta, voted to separate itself from the Diocese of Los Angeles, Bishop J. Jon Bruno today issued a letter of temporary inhibition for clergy serving at St. Luke's, barring them from all functions of the ordained ministry. Under inhibition are the Rev. Ronald Jackson, rector; the Rev. Edmund Gibbs, and the Rev. Sara Burch (deacon).
The bishop also revoked license to officiate in the diocese for the Rev. Douglas D. Folsom (canonically resident in the Diocese of San Joaquin, in central California) and the Rev. Andrew Ray, who had been serving as associate pastor (canonically resident in the Diocese of Pittsburgh).
The Standing Committee of the diocese, meeting by conference call today, unanimously concurred with Bishop Bruno that the five clergy members should be inhibited on the grounds that they have abandoned the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church.
Under canon law, such action requires inhibition for six months. If the inhibited clergy member does not seek reconciliation with the bishop and the diocese within that time, the canons require that he or she be deposed from Holy Orders.
The statement of temporary inhibition is intended to allow the clergy to contact the bishop and let him know their intentions. If they do not do so by Friday, Feb. 17, letters of inhibition will be issued.
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