AAC Fr. Phil Ashey: The Title IV Proceedings against 9 Bishops

July 3, 2012

The leadership of the Episcopal Church is considering disciplinary action against 9 bishops. These nine bishops are: Bishops Edward Salmon, Peter Beckwith, Bruce MacPherson, Maurice Benitez, John Howe, Paul Lambert, James Stanton, Daniel Martins, and William Love.

Essentially, The Episcopal Church is investigating them for providing testimony in lawsuits that supported the rights of dioceses to disaffiliate from the church. Find out more about this sad story here.

Central Florida Responds to TEC Charges
Statements from Bp. Greg Brewer and retired Bishop Howe.

Robert S. Munday: Have you ever been stung by a dead bee?
One of my favorite classic movies is To Have and Have Not, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall (in her first motion picture). Bogart plays the captain of a sport fishing boat, operating out of Martinique, an island that, at the time (1944), was under the rule of Nazi-dominated Vichy France, which provides the source of the movie's intrigue.

Walter Brennan, in one of his best character roles, plays Eddie, the perpetually drunk ship's mate. Eddie has the annoying habit of asking each new person he meets, "Have you ever been stung by a dead bee?" In response to the other person's inevitable question, Eddie explains, "Even a dead bee can sting you if you step on it, especially if it was mad when it died."

Nine bishops of the Episcopal Church just got stung by a dead bee this week.

Bishops Edward L. Salmon, Jr., Peter H. Beckwith and Bruce MacPherson received word that a complaint had been filed against them under Title IV of the Episcopal Church's Canons for signing affidavits in opposition to a motion for Summary Judgment in the Episcopal Church's lawsuit in the Diocese of Quincy. In a similar action, Bishops Maurice M. Benitez, John W. Howe, Paul E. Lambert, William H. Love, Bruce MacPherson, Daniel H. Martins, and James M. Stanton were informed that a complaint was being brought against them for filing an Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) Brief in the Episcopal Church's lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Texas involving the Diocese of Fort Worth...