DIO-N. MICHIGAN: Defeat appears inevitable

by Frank Lockwood
posted June 13, 2009

In interviews with national religion journalists, Bishop-elect Kevin G. Thew Forrester and the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Northern Michigan aren’t conceding defeat. They’re declining to confirm or deny reports that a majority of the standing committees have decided to withhold consent and they’re vowing to “respect the process” until the entire 120-day voting period wraps up in mid-July.

But in the Upper Peninsula, they’re spreading the word that defeat appears certain.A summary of the last Episcopal Ministry Support Team (EMST) Meeting, distributed to members of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. says:

“Working through the lunch break period, we discussed the consent process and want to let everyone know that it does NOT appear likely that the majority of the Standing Committees and Bishops having jurisdiction will consent to the election of Kevin Thew Forrester as bishop of the Diocese of Norther Michigan,” writes EMST member Susan Harries, in the church’s June newsletter. the rest