Links to Sequence of Events

Diocese of Pennsylvania Standing Committee Open Forum
Sunday, October 14, 2007
St. Mary’s Church, Wayne

Welcome by Glenn Matis, President of Standing Committee
Welcome by Dean Michael Pearson, Rector, St. Mary’s Church, Wayne
Opening Hymn
Introduction of Members of the Standing Committee
Introduction of Members of Finance & Property
Acknowledgement of Wapiti Board
Acknowledgement of Diocesan Council
Ground rules

COMPLETE FORUM

M E M O R A N D U M

To: Peter Wilmerding, Chair Finance & Property
Cc: Stephen P. Chawaga, Esq., Chancellor

From: The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania

Date: Friday, September 07, 2007

We thank you and the members of the Finance & Property Committee for the opportunity to participate in the important discussion about Wapiti.

After meeting with the members of Finance & Property and the Executive Committee of the Diocesan Council on Wednesday, September 5, 2007, the Standing Committee took the following position:

We have come to the recognition that this Diocese cannot afford Wapiti: the Wilderness Retreat in Maryland.

We will give our canonically required consent for the Diocese to obtain a commercial mortgage to purchase the land from The Conservation Fund subject to the following stipulations:

• The Wapiti property is to be sold.
• All proceeds from the sale of the property in excess of the amount required to satisfy the mortgage are to be used to restore the
endowment funds which were used to purchase, improve and maintain Wapiti.
• In order to minimize the carrying costs until the property is sold, Wapiti will cease operation as of October 15, 2007.

Please note that this is our response based on the information provided at the meeting and that additional legal and financial advice is needed to identify the requirements that we would need in order to approve a prudent and timely mortgage and to confirm a process and timeline for the sale of the property.

At its regularly scheduled meeting on June 19, 2007, the Standing Committee discussed the proposed Cathedral Commons project with highly respected and knowledgeable members of the Diocese including the Dean of the Cathedral. After a lengthy discussion, the Standing Committee continues to have significant reservations about the conception and execution of this proposed real estate transaction in light of our financial crisis and Episcopate leadership concerns.

Our concern is also that essential information is lacking and that definite answers concerning actual financial obligations to the Diocese (and the Cathedral Chapter) related to the proposed transaction are required before further commitments are made. We also question if the emphasis on real estate acquisition and development is sidetracking us from the call of Jesus to spread the Gospel, especially among the poor and weak.

We continue to respect those who disagree with our views and in no way question their love and devotion for the Church and for the people of this Diocese.

At its regularly scheduled meeting on May 22, 2007, the Standing Committee listened to highly respected and knowledgeable members of the Diocese express their diverse opinions concerning the feasibility of the Cathedral Campus project. After a lengthy discussion, the Standing Committee came to share the opinion of those who have significant reservations about the conception and execution of this general plan. Coupled with our on-going and unresolved crises in leadership, finances and trust, we do not believe pursuing this venture would be positive for the Diocese, but will in fact intensify our problems. We also question if the emphasis on real estate acquisition and development is sidetracking us from the call of Jesus to spread the Gospel, especially among the poor and weak.

After meeting with the Wapiti Board on Tuesday, May 1, 2007, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania reaffirms its decision of Tuesday, April 24, 2007 not consenting to the request “for designation of proceeds from sale of closed church properties for the youth program in the amount of $144,000.”

For ten years we have labored under questionable Diocesan priorities. Therefore, until the Wapiti Board recognizes the chaotic state of our Diocese as an inevitable result of our dysfunctional Episcopal leadership, we remain firm in our decision concerning the request for funds.

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania

National Episcopal Body to Hear Bishops Case, Philadelphia Inquirer Article March 31, 2007

On Friday, March 2, 2007, the members of the Standing Committee and those who had filed the complaint against Bishop Bennison had a meeting with David Beers, Chancellor to the Presiding Bishop, and his assistant, Mary E. Kostel, and Michael F. Rehill, Special Counsel to the Standing Committee, and his assistant Pamela L. Lutz. It was a full and frank discussion of the complaint against Bishop Bennison and the canonical process and procedures. It is anticipated that the complaint will now be forwarded by the Presiding Bishop to the Title IV Review Committee for consideration.

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Pennsylvania renews its unanimous call for the resignation or retirement of the Rt. Rev. Charles E. Bennison, Jr. In addition, we stand by the Bishop Matthews Report which accurately describes the depth of division and the denial expressed by the Bishop as to the serious nature and profound effects of this conflict.

Furthermore, we hold accountable those in the Episcopal Church’s executive offices who withheld information of Bishop Bennison’s leadership about the matters concerning his brother’s sexual misconduct while in his employ. This information was withheld from the Search Committee and Standing Committee at the time of Bishop Bennison’s election.

March 1, 2007

Reconciliation is a goal to which two or more parties may wish to attain or aspire. In relationships it is often taken to mean restoring the relationship to its former status after some process has brought the parties to this goal. The Standing Committee agrees with the conclusion of the Matthew's report that reconciliation is not a viable option given the previous attempts that have been made over many years.

The Standing Committee is the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese in the absence of a bishop. The Standing Committee is elected by the diocesan convention. Half of its members are clerical, half lay. It serves as the bishop's council of advice. The Standing Committee is requested to give consent for all bishops elected in the Episcopal Church. It recommends persons for ordination. It gives the bishop advice and consent on the purchase, sale, or encumbrance of any property held by a congregation or the diocese. It gives the bishop advice and consent as to any judicial sentence given to a clergy person or concurs in allowing a clergy person to cease functioning as a member of the clergy. It investigates and reports to the bishop on the charge that a deacon or priest has abandoned the Episcopal Church. It also receives the bishop's resignation.