Bennison has fought bitterly and hard to keep the property even though a prior convention voted in 2008 to sell it. On returning to the diocese, following charges that he failed to expose his brother's sexual abuse of a minor, he managed to rescind the sale keeping the property that many believe he wants to retain as a monument to his own colossal ego.

"The financial crisis for many of our churches is matched by a crisis in membership. In 2009, only seven churches in the diocese had an average Sunday attendance above 150. Many of our churches are too small to provide for a full‐time priest, and they often cannot afford the ministries, programs, and staff that are mainstays of healthy, growing churches of all denominations.

Washington DC officials need to immediately address the safety issues of bringing in the over three thousands visitors on the November 12 consecration to the still-fenced off Cathedral. If the request for fifteen million is for only decorative work and not involved with safety issues, then how could FEMA money even be considered for the Cathedral? If this amount of money is for safety issues, then what dangers will be glossed over to allow the November 12 opening of the Cathedral?

Edwards said on July 5 that a thorough review of church records showed that Jefferts Schori "handled the situation perfectly appropriately."