The Anglican Communion Network Deans Respond to "Pastoral Directive" from Bishop Mathes, Diocese of San Diego
Source: Anglican Communion Network (Deans Press Release)

Pittsburgh, PA – It is with dismay that we, the Deans of the Anglican Communion Network, have read the letter sent by the Right Reverend James Mathes, Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of San Diego, to all his rectors. This letter is a clear and oppressive threat to faithful orthodox rectors and their people.

Bishop Mathes, who was elected fourth Bishop of San Diego just 18 months ago as a “reconciler” and a “moderate,” wrote this letter as a “pastoral directive” in an obvious attempt to quell dissent within his diocese. This harsh and insensitive demand has been placed upon those in the Diocese of San Diego who have sought to be nothing more than loyal to the faith “once delivered to the saints.” Besides threatening inhibition and deposition for any rector who takes any action that the bishop deems to be moving a parish toward disaffiliating from the Diocese of San Diego, he threatens discipline over any attempt to affiliate with certain unnamed persons or organizations. If the clergy or parishes “attempt to affiliate with any persons or entities beyond the canonically constituted order provided by this Church [that will be] understood to be an effort that, intended or not, will undermine the mission for which we have been created…” and will lead to discipline.

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