Pastoral Letter
Pastoral Letter
March, 2007
Pastoral Letter from the Bishop of San Diego
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I have now returned from our meeting of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church at Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas. After a few days of rest and reflection, I write to share with you my thoughts on this meeting.
In a word, the spirit of this meeting was extraordinary. Our days were framed by worship and sharing of Eucharist together. We were guided by our chaplains, the Rev. Canon Carol Wade of the National Cathedral, Brother Geoffrey Tristram from the Society of St. John the Evangelist, and Brother Jude Hill from the Society of St. Francis in San Francisco. As in the past, I sang in the Bishop’s Choir, which continues to be a holy place for me—both worshipful and creative. In the midst of this prayerfulness, bishops from all but four dioceses participated in sacred conversation, in new learnings, and took council for the church. It was a particular blessing to be joined by the Primate and bishops of Igelsia Anglicana de Mexico for the entire week. Throughout the meeting, we focused on three principal topics: the Millennium Development Goals, the Primates’ Communiqué, and the draft Anglican Covenant.
The Rev. Dr. Ian T. Douglas, professor at Episcopal Divinity School, reminded us of the connection between God’s mission, the Church’s Mission, and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). In his address to the House of Bishops, Professor Douglas asked and answered the critical question regarding the MDG’s,
So why should we Christians care about the Millennium Development Goals? We should care about the MDG’s because God wants us to. We should care about the MDG’s because they are one way by which we as Christians can join with God and with each other in the restoration and reconciliation of the world. We should care about the MDG’s because they help us to be more faithful participants in God’s mission to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ
In our consideration of the MDG’s, we focused particularly on seventh goal, “ensure environmental sustainability.” I was privileged to offer one of the four workshops with Archbishop Carlos Touché-Porter, Primate of Mexico, and Bishop Kirk Smith, Bishop of Arizona. Our workshop examined issues of environmental sustainability along the Mexican-United States border, including immigration issues, attendant economic concerns, and environmental concerns. As we focus on border concerns in our diocese, my preparation for this offering to the House of Bishops has made me even more aware of these significant ecological concerns, especially as they relate to water use, sewage, and endangerment of habitat. It is my hope that our congregations can become increasingly engaged in the MDG’s as another way in which we faithfully participate in the reign of God.
We spent considerable energy and time discussing the Primates Communiqué of February 19, 2007. As I wrote to you before the House of Bishops, I went to this meeting holding in tension my own deep desire to maintain communion with our Anglican brothers and sisters and wariness about what seemed like a primatial ultimatum. My feelings were shared by most others in the House of Bishops. Guided by our Presiding Bishop’s open and non-anxious spirit, we allowed that tension to remain and be shared without an attempt at quick resolution. Rather than try to answer the demands of the Primates that make certain commitments regarding same sex-unions and consents to bishops living in same-sex partnerships, we continue to ponder this demand and unanimously have invited the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates Standing Committee to meet with our full House of Bishops before the imposed September 30, 2007 deadline.
The greatest concern of the House of Bishops was regarding what has been termed the “Pastoral Scheme.” The Pastoral Scheme includes a proposal made by the Presiding Bishop for a Pastoral Vicar who would serve dioceses which did not feel able to accept the ministrations of the Presiding Bishop. The Primates’ proposal goes beyond this. In particular, it sets up a Pastoral Council which would include Primatial oversight from outside of the Episcopal Church. The vast majority of bishops believed that this scheme was highly problematic, and if implemented, injurious to the Episcopal Church. I am persuaded that that is indeed the case and joined my fellow bishops in declining this innovation. Because the Archbishop of Canterbury had requested nominations to the Pastoral Council by March 16, 2007, it was necessary for us to state clearly that this would not be a possible solution under the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church. I commend to you the three Mind of the House resolutions linked at the end of this letter.
As we await this anticipated opportunity to meet with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates Standing Committee, the Theology Committee of the House of Bishops will be developing a teaching guide for consideration of both the Primates' Communiqué and the proposed draft Covenant for the Anglican Communion, which should be available by late May. While I am aware that summer is not the optimal time to engage in a time of teaching and new learnings, I believe that the people and clergy of the Diocese of San Diego should commit to this enterprise for our own growth and as an offering to the wider church.
The third major topic considered at the House of Bishops was the draft Anglican Covenant. The Covenant is related to the Primates Communiqué in that it was presented first to the Primates at their February meeting. We received two presentations regarding the Covenant from the Rev. Dr. Ephraim Radner and the Rev. Dr. Katherine Grieb, both of whom served on the drafting committee. Fortunately, we have more time to consider the Covenant. It is expected that each province of the Anglican Communion will engage this draft.
So, what does this all mean for us in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego? I think it means that we will continue to have people of differing perspectives on a whole host of issues including Biblical interpretation and human sexuality. I welcome this as stimulating and truth-seeking diversity. Some will seek out this church because this is who we are. Others may find this level of diversity uncomfortable and seek another spiritual home. As a diverse community, the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego will move forward guided by our Strategic Plan and joining with others around the planet proclaiming Christ and ministering to all in His name.
As for our place in the Anglican Communion, I do not know what the future holds. What I believe the House of Bishops affirmed was our own understanding of ourselves as the Episcopal Church, which is a part of the Anglican Communion. We stated both our boundaries and our openness to others. This self-differentiation is precisely what will allow us to be a healthier church as we continue to engage with the rest of the Communion in mission and ministry, including some places that are more contentious. Because communion is a gift from God, I believe that God will work through us to build up our Anglican fellowship and communion. It is my fervent prayer that we will find a way forward that will focus on our shared mission.
Finally, let me share with you some reflections on our Presiding Bishop. As the Rt. Rev. John Howe, Bishop of Central Florida, said in a letter to his diocese, “Katharine Jefferts Schori has done a stunning job in leading this meeting.” I agree completely. She was balanced, peaceful, clear, and Godly. We are fortunate to have her as our Presiding Bishop in these times.
We will continue to move forward our mission as a diocese “to share the love of Jesus Christ through our words and actions, and to reconcile all people to God and each other.” This work includes building communion with our global partners as we minister with our Anglican brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Maseno North in Kenya, the Diocese of El Salvador, and the Diocese of Western Mexico.
In April, May and June, I will convene five Town Hall Meetings across our diocese so that we can continue to be in conversation. I hope that we can dream about our own mission and ministry and hold these global questions in an appropriate perspective.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes
Bishop of San Diego
Relevant Links:
A Message to God's People from the House of Bishops
Bishop’s Town Hall Meetings
April 18, 7:00-9:00 pm St. Paul’s, Yuma
April 25, 7:00-9:00 pm St. Paul’s Cathedral
May 10, 7:00-9:00 pm St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs
May 31, 7:00-9:00 pm St. Andrew the Apostle, Encinitas
June 5, 7:00-9:00 pm St. Thomas of Canterbury, Temecula