The 213th Annual Council - Diocese of Virginia
The 213th Annual Council - Diocese of Virginia
The 213th Annual Council - Diocese of Virginia
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Proceedings<br />
<strong>The</strong> Standing Committee has the joy <strong>of</strong> interviewing persons who are in the ordination<br />
process. Each year we are impressed by the variety <strong>of</strong> gifts that they bring and by their<br />
faith that has lead them to ordination. Following a change in the national canons at<br />
General Convention 2006, Standing Committees once again have the responsibility <strong>of</strong><br />
approving individuals for candidacy. We interviewed and approved 10 men and women<br />
for candidacy. We approved 12 for ordination to the diaconate. We approved 13 persons<br />
for ordination to the priesthood.<br />
It is also the duty <strong>of</strong> the Standing Committee at the request <strong>of</strong> the bishop to determine<br />
when a priest or deacon has abandoned the communion <strong>of</strong> the Episcopal Church. In<br />
2007, we determined that 24 had done so—22 in January 2007 and two later in the year.<br />
Six months after an inhibition has been issued by the bishop, if the cleric has not made<br />
a good faith retraction in writing to the Bishop, the Standing Committee will determine<br />
whether to consent to the cleric’s removal from the ordained ministry <strong>of</strong> the Episcopal<br />
Church. With enormous regret, the Standing Committee recommended the removal <strong>of</strong><br />
22 priests in 2007. We are grateful that one priest made a good faith retraction and had<br />
his inhibition lifted. Additionally, we accepted the renunciation <strong>of</strong> orders from one priest<br />
living outside <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Diocese</strong>.<br />
By diocesan canon, the Standing Committee serves as the Title IV Diocesan Review<br />
Committee when needed. When a priest or deacon is accused <strong>of</strong> a triable <strong>of</strong>fense<br />
under Title IV, Canon 1, the Diocesan Review Committee is charged with determining<br />
whether to bring a presentment against the priest or deacon. In 2007, the Standing<br />
Committee served as the Diocesan Review Committee in response to an allegation. In<br />
this case, the Diocesan Review Committee charged the church attorney to investigate<br />
the allegation and prepare a report. <strong>The</strong> investigation did not result in a presentment.<br />
In particular, we wish to thank Scott Caulkins for his excellent, thorough service as<br />
an investigating church attorney this year. Following the conclusion <strong>of</strong> the matter,<br />
the Standing Committee recognized that there may be an opportunity to clarify the<br />
process going forward by having a Diocesan Review Committee independent <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Standing Committee, which is permitted by the national canons. This would require an<br />
amendment <strong>of</strong> diocesan Canons; we expect that next year’s Standing Committee will<br />
address this issue and bring a recommendation to the 214th <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Council</strong>.<br />
While difficult matters cannot be ignored, we do well to take time and appreciate the<br />
many grace-filled moments in our common life. One such moment came for me when in<br />
June when I represented the Standing Committee at a meeting <strong>of</strong> the leadership <strong>of</strong> our<br />
continuing congregations. I was struck by the faith, hope and joy evident in those who<br />
know that God is with them and that they have a mission to fulfill. Other members <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Committee have also meet with the leadership <strong>of</strong> the continuing congregations <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong><br />
Falls Church, St. Stephen’s, Heathsville, St. Margaret’s, Woodbridge and the Church <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Epiphany, Herndon. <strong>The</strong> Standing Committee supports their ministry whole-heartedly<br />
and will continue to assist when called upon to do so.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Standing Committee supports the churches <strong>of</strong> our <strong>Diocese</strong> by assisting them when<br />
they seek consent for indebtedness for the advancement <strong>of</strong> their ministry. In 2007, we<br />
consented to the requests <strong>of</strong> three churches to encumber the property held in trust for<br />
the <strong>Diocese</strong> by taking on debt. Churches go through a lengthy process in preparation for<br />
application to the Standing Committee. We have the joy <strong>of</strong> hearing their presentations,<br />
which are filled with accounts <strong>of</strong> God’s grace.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Diocese</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Virginia</strong> t Journal <strong>of</strong> the the 213 th <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Council</strong> 113