SC diocese: Bishop probe could mean parish attacks

By Bruce Smith
Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011

Excerpt:
Bishop Mark Lawrence was recently contacted by the national church’s Disciplinary Board for Bishops. The panel informed him, based on information from churchgoers in the diocese, he is alleged to have abandoned the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church.

About 100 clergy from the diocese in the lower and eastern parts of the state met Tuesday behind closed doors the discuss the allegations and procedures to investigate.

“Based on what has happened in other dioceses, a deposition of the bishop would be followed by attacks on the diocese and the parishes. The picture painted was an ugly one of expensive litigation, confrontation and acrimony in which all involved significantly lost,” the clergy said in a statement after.

The Associated Press left a message at the national Episcopal Church offices in New York seeking comment.

The diocesan statement said the Episcopal Church “is in a constitutional crisis” and has no structure for resolving fundamental differences. the rest

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