Episcopal Response to Southern Cone Statement on St.

Timothys
The Rt. Rev. C. Wallis Ohl, provisional bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, and the people of the diocese wish Fr. Christopher Stainbrook and those at St. Timothys seeking to become part of the Roman Catholic Churchs Anglican Ordinariate all the best and pray they find the spiritual sustenance they need. We are holding them all close in prayer, both those who are leaving to become part of the Ordinariate and those of our sisters and brothers at St. Timothys from whom we have been separated for nearly three years, said Bishop Ohl. We want to assure them they are welcome in The Episcopal Church and in this diocese. Because having accurate and complete information is an important part of any discernment process, we believe the following information is helpful. In their December 8 press release, the Southern Cone parties, led by former Bishop Jack L. Iker, announced that they were terminating plans to reach a pastoral solution with St. Timothys Episcopal Church, and would be accepting the resignation of Fr. Stainbrook. The Southern Cone press release suggests that these outcomes are the result of the Courts October 20, 2011 Order and a letter from the Episcopal parties. The Southern Cone statement omits that the attorneys for the Southern Cone defendants stated on December 7 that they agree that any use of the St. Timothys property for worship in the Roman Catholic Church would disrupt the status quo required by the Courts Order. The Episcopal parties have been and continue to be open concerning a potential agreed, pastoral solution to a Roman Catholic use of the Church property during appeal one that of course would ultimately require the agreement of all parties involved, including The Episcopal Church and its continuing Episcopal diocese. The Courts Order does not prevent such a pastoral resolution, if the parties agree to it and Judge John Chupp approves. It is the Southern Cone decision and announcement on December 8 that would preclude that possibility. As the Episcopal Diocese said in its December 6 letter to attorneys for former Bishop Iker, it is committed to the current and future Episcopalians who will continue worshiping in the historic St. Timothys Episcopal Church after this litigation is resolved, as they have since The Episcopal Church opened St. Timothys in 1955. This includes the Episcopalians from St. Timothys who are currently worshipping in exile. And it includes the Episcopalians still in the pews of St. Timothys, and those who will join or rejoin St. Timothys Episcopal Church. While we of course wish the members of St. Timothys well if they decide to worship at another location, the Episcopal Diocese remains open to discussions with those currently worshiping at St. Timothys, and, if he chooses, with former Bishop Iker, toward a potential pastoral solution concerning everyone at St. Timothys. They all remain in our prayers. And in this season, we look forward to the resolution of this matter in its entirety, and to the reconciliation and fellowship to come.