| Christ
Church Takes Major Steps Toward Its Mission
Statement of the Rev. Canon David H. Roseberry
& the Vestry of Christ
Church Plano Concerning Formal Dissolution of Relationship with
Episcopal Church
September 15, 2006
Since the General Convention of the Episcopal Church (USA) in June
2006, Christ Church has been moving steadily toward its realignment
with members of the Anglican Communion that share a common vision
of ministry and mission. This process began with a public statement
by the Christ Church vestry on June 24, 2006 stating our intention
to disassociate from the Episcopal Church.
Today, Bishop James Stanton of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas has
issued a “godly judgment”, an authority granted to him
by the Canons of the Church, acknowledging our desire and need to
disassociate, and has also signed a legal agreement granting us
the title and ownership of our land and buildings. As consideration
for the property, and to secure our title and allow the Diocese
of Dallas to maintain their programs and ministries, we have agreed
to pay $1.2 million to the diocese and to continue to service the
existing debt on our property.
In addition, Bishop Stanton has extended his personal invitation
for Bishop Bill Godfrey, the Bishop of Peru, to provide oversight
of Christ Church and her clergy as we take our next steps. Bishop
Godfrey is a long term friend of Christ Church. This temporary arrangement
allows our parish to, out of necessity, separate from the Episcopal
Diocese of Dallas but to remain in communion with our Anglican brothers
and sisters in Christ.
We are very thankful to the Bishop of Dallas and his staff for
their cooperative and clear efforts to assist in this process. In
announcing this agreement, Bishop Stanton wrote to his diocese today:
“The ministry of Christ Church has been an important part
of our witness and its clergy and people are our fellow brothers
and sisters in Christ. I maintain a great affection and admiration
for this congregation and its leadership, and I wish them only God’s
blessing.”
In God’s perfect timing, these positive steps have cleared
the way for Christ Church to find a new home within the Anglican
Communion. This is all part of “Chapter Two” at Christ
Church, and we are thankful that God has provided a way forward
in mission.
CHRIST CHURCH MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Kinsella 469-878-4071
Statement of Bishop
James M. Stanton, Diocese of Dallas
September 15, 2006
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As your bishop I have sought to lead this Diocese and its many
parishes to build up the Body of Christ and fulfill the mission
of His Church. As you may know, I have been in ongoing conversations
with the leadership of Christ Episcopal Church in Plano and its
rector, Fr. David Roseberry. Since their public statement of June
25th, they have strongly and consistently felt that their mission
was being adversely affected by the conflicts and tensions resulting
from actions and policies of the Episcopal Church.
I have worked to understand their situation and to seek a way
forward with integrity. I came to the conclusion over time that
there were irreconcilable differences between Christ Church and
the Episcopal Church, differences that would necessitate their separation
from the Episcopal Church and, consequently, from the Diocese of
Dallas.
After much prayer, and laying the matter before our Standing Committee,
and with their advice, I have issued a godly judgment permitting
them to separate from our diocese. I have believed that this is
essentially a pastoral matter, and as such should be dealt with
in a genuine spirit of Christian charity and mission. I am pleased
that all parties and every phase of our discussions have exemplified
that spirit.
By action of the Trustees of the Corporation of the Diocese today,
a contract for withdrawal is in place and will be respectfully honored
by both Christ Church and the Diocese of Dallas. In consideration
for their property they have agreed to assume the full indebtedness
of the existing parish ($6.8 million) and made a lump sum payment
to the Diocese of $1.2 million. This arrangement secures their title
and helps our Diocese continue to pursue its mission over the next
few years.
In many ways, clearly, this is a sad occasion for our Diocese.
The ministry of Christ Church has been an important part of our
witness and its clergy and people are our fellow brothers and sisters
in Christ. I maintain a great affection and admiration for this
congregation and its leadership, and I wish them only God's blessing.
I bear a pastoral concern for all our congregations, of course,
and especially for some of our younger and smaller ones. The action
of Christ Church to sever ties with the Episcopal Church is due
to their particular circumstances. While they clearly do not support
the actions and policies of the Episcopal Church, the decision of
other parishes to remain in the Diocese of Dallas must not be seen
as an endorsement of those same policies. All of us remain committed
to bearing witness to the Lord Jesus Christ and to building up His
Church.
Please continue to work and pray for all that God has called this
Diocese to do. And pray for the whole Church.
In Christ,
The Rt. Rev. James M. Stanton
Bishop of Dallas
The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas
1630 N. Garrett Av.
Dallas, TX 75206
Office: (214) 826-8310
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