Letter of Inhibition against The Right Revd Edward H MacBurney

Letter of Inhibition against The Right Revd Edward H MacBurney
April 8th, 2008

From Forward in Faith North America Chairman, Bishop Keith Ackerman, Bishop of Quincy

Read the letter of inhibition HERE. (pdf)

It is with deep regret that I must inform you of this action that has been taken against Bishop Edward MacBurney.

Bishop MacBurney’s son, Page, died two days after this letter was signed.

We received the letter in the mail today, and I had to read it to Bishop MacBurney over the phone since he had not yet received it.

More to follow.

Bishop Keith L Ackerman SSC
Bishop of Quincy

Forward in Faith members are urged to hold Bishop Edward MacBurney in their prayers and to pray for the repose of the soul of Page MacBurney. May he rest in peace.

Further comment from Bishop Ackerman

Apr 8, 2008

I am beside myself with grief over this unnecessary action taken against my predecessor especially at a time when he is mourning the death of his son this past Friday. I am particularly saddened that with the exception of the Bishop who initiated this action those involved in determining this course have never spoken with Bishop MacBurney directly.

In the midst of this difficult time for Bishop MacBurney and his family I am really much more concerned about the implications of St Matthew 18:15-17 as it relates to how reconciliation is pursued than I am with Title IV, Canon 1, Section 6 as it relates to disciplining my dear brother.
In the meantime we are ministering to the needs of the MacBurney family.

X Keith L Ackerman, SSC,
Bishop of Quincy
President, Forward in Faith North America

Forward in Faith UK comments as follows:

Apr 8, 2008

The purported inhibition of Bishop Edward MacBurney by the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church is nothing less than contemptible, confirming our view that a ‘graceless and totalitarian’ mindset now holds sway in the upper echelons of TEC.

Edward MacBurney is a Bishop in the Church of God whom we are proud to salute. We assure him and his wife of our prayers and our heartfelt condolences in their great loss.

Anglican Mainstream