Public Response

March 19, 2006

STANDING COMMITTEE’S PUBLIC RESPONSE TO BISHOP BENNISON’S DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE MATTHEWS REPORT

Bishop Charles E. Bennison writes in his letter of March 14, 2006 to the delegates to the upcoming special convention, "The document (The Matthews Report) contains a significant number of errors and inaccuracies of fact and interpretation.”

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Pennsylvania takes the position that this broad stroke criticism of the Report by the Bishop should be shared directly by Bishop Bennison with Bishop Matthews for resolution, rather than bringing it to the delegates for discussion at this time.

We also believe the Bishop should abide by Bishop Matthews’ pointed request to take immediate steps to correct, through retraction, the false reporting in the Pennsylvania Episcopalian (and on the Diocesan website) that the intervention by Bishop Matthews was one for a long term process of reconciliation.

Bishop Bennison also informed the delegates "Had I been permitted to present (sic) when Bishop Matthews listened to the Concerned Episcopalians, the deans, and members of the Standing Committee in order to hear or respond to what was said, or had Bishop Matthews listened to a broader segment of our diocese, a fairer and more balanced assessment of our reality may have emerged, and Bishop Matthews may have concluded he could be of further help to us."

Again, if the Bishop is in disagreement with Bishop Matthews’ process, conclusions and recommendations, he should speak directly to Bishop Matthews about his concerns, rather than in a letter to delegates.

Finally, we respectfully remind the Bishop that Bishop Matthews stated that he was available to help further and that "the Presiding Bishop's Office will assist as long as the ground rules are defined by outside persons to insure that neither party tries to control the process". Given the difficult and painful reality we, other groups and individuals are all experiencing, we are hoping to share in a process that will honor each and every person as a child of God.

The Standing Committee is again attempting to act responsibly in response to the many voices over the last several years and especially since the last Convention that have spoken about the mistrust that they feel. The Standing Committee invites the Bishop to join us in requesting the Presiding Bishop's Office to work with us on terms of a respectful and faithful separation.

The Standing Committee

Cc: The Rt. Rev. Charles E. Bennison, Jr.