Three Parishes in Diocese of Albany Seek DEPO

Perhaps it is useful to ask who is behind the DEPO request? Why Via Media of course! And following the link to the Openly Episcopal in Albany reveals that DEPO might include, like the Diocese of Nebraska, the “Brotherhood of Faith” where

Episcopal Tri-Faith Ministries is the new church which will be sited with Temple Israel and the American Institute of Islamic Studies and Culture (AIISC) in a unique campus featuring a synagogue, a church, a mosque and an interfaith center.

Question is, will the Bishop of Albany see this for what it is? How will Kate respond?

Back in 1966 I was asked to consider serving as curate at St. George’s Schenectady which was then an eminent Anglo-Catholic parish. Their current web site selfidentifies them as “inclusive.”  Sic transit gloria mundi.

Is this a fifth column for Schori like the Port Royal congregation in South Carolina acting as a bridgehead for her intrusive efforts?

Well, how has DEPO worked out for conservative parishes?  Have any of the ultra-lib bishops ever said “Yes”?  I think Geralyn Wolff(sp?) or RI might have.

The parishes should be cheerfully given an Alternate Oversight bishop. I suggest Gayle Harris, Suffragan of Massachusetts. She’s a good person and should meet all of their particular qualifications. No joke. It’s important for the orthodox to model what and how the revisors should be and do. Of course, they won’t want to act like Christians, since their theology has little to do with that particular faith, but….

DEPO…the Communion Partner bishops and parishes…ah yes, remnants of the golden age of outrage, when accommodation would SURELY be coming in some form from Rowan. I mean, there were so many signals and hints and meetings and secret overseas flights. What a time it was!

DEPO never worked for the orthodox, but it just might be acceptable to a revisionist parish.

Bill2, DEPO has been granted by liberal bishops.  There is a DEPO parish in Southern Virginia, and Holly Hollerith is a pretty liberal guy.  There is at least one DEPO parish in L.A. under Bruno, who is a fairly liberal guy.  There is a DEPO parish in Ohio under Hollingsworth, who is a fairly liberal guy. 

I know people in each of these parishes, and they are all happy with the arrangement. 

In Southern Virginia, the Canon to the Presiding Bishop expressed that the PB would like to see DEPO become a more common option for conservative parishes in liberal dioceses.  She would also like to see the place of the DEPO bishop be expanded to include succession for future rectors in those conservative parishes.  Could it be that she does not want to have more legal fees from more parishes leaving? 

In any case, in answer to your question, it has worked out very well for those conservative parishes in liberal dioceses that have availed themselves of the option. 

The DEPO arrangement may well be a good answer for those who wish to stay.  Perhaps it is a recognition of the demise of denominationalism, and the rise of affiliation by affinity.

I certainly don’t mean to throw a wet blanket over parishes choosing DEPO, and I hope they’ll be pleased with this arrangement, but I see Schori approaching panic mode with this.  I may be wrong, but I think she’s losing control, for if she wasn’t, she wouldn’t allow it.  There’s a crack in the armor, and it’s going to grow.

Los Angeles has more than one DEPO congregation.  Bp Ed Little ought to be on the LA payroll for as much as he’s there.  (joke)

St. Matthew’s, Richmond, aligned with the Communion Partners network, has likewise been granted DEPO status by +Shannon Johnston.  But as the final paragraph in the article states, the ultimate goal of DEPO is “reconciliation.”  But is this really possible, or likely??

As an ex-priest of Albany, I’m not surprised that +Bill Love has been gracious and willing to grant DEPO to the three churches.  St. Andrew’s, Albany is no surprise.  It has long been proudly Liberal and defiantly so, eagerly setting itself apart from the conservative pack.  The organist there officially married his gay partner after NY state allowed gay marriage last year.

But the story of St. George’s, Schenectady is more telling.  Tom Rightmyer is right above that it used to be a bastion of conservative Anglo-Catholicism.  But the open secret was always that it tended to be served by gay clergy (usually chaste ones however, who didn’t act on their attraction to the same sex).  The demise of this once strong parish is terribly sad.  I would have expected St. Stephen’s, Schenectady to opt for DEPO before St. George’s, as St. Stephen’s was always more liberal and broad church, but there wasn’t that gay clergy angle involved.

But let no one worry about +Love being naive; he’s not.

David Handy+

[7] Underground, I am not so sure that it has not worked for some orthodox parishes.  Have you spoken with people in orthodox DEPO parishes about their experience?  Most of those with whom I have spoken are fairly pleased with the arrangement.  It’s not the ideal, but for them it is a way forward for the time being.