I spoke with Bishop Adams of Western Kansas and he provided a few details about today’s meeting.

—Bishop Love, of Albany, presented a request for a roll call vote signed by nine bishops, including Bishop Adams
—Bishop Peter Lee, of Virginia, presented a second request for a roll call vote signed by another group of bishops

That roll call vote therefore occurred [only six requests were needed under the rules of the house].

—There was a formal—as well as numerous informal—challenges to the relevant canonical violations/rulings of the chair, including the attempt to depose a not-previously inhibited bishop—required by the canons—and the fact that deposing requires a majority of all bishops entitled to vote
—A voice vote was taken and the challenge failed clearly to achieve the necessary 2/3 votes to overturn the ruling

Other sources revealed further details:

—All three bishops of the diocese of Virginia, apparently, voted against the deposition of Bishop Duncan [obviously, hearsay will be subject to confirmation later]
—Bishop Duncan Gray of Mississippi apparently voted against the deposition [obviously, hearsay will be subject to confirmation later]
—Bishop Lawrence spoke very eloquently challenging the misuse of canon 4.9
—There were numerous other protests voiced

Speaking as Sarah Hey, personally—I am very proud of the 35 bishops who voted for lawful use of the canons.  I am even more proud of the traditional bishops who did almost every single thing they could do within the Rules of the House to vigorously and publicly protest this action.  It was well-planned, it was coordinated, and it required communication, and courage.

StandFirm commenters and friends—it is not easy to do what these bishops did.

I’ve been the first to write lengthy articles decrying our own bishops for their lack of strategy, coordination, communication, and courage in these meetings.  It has bothered me intensely that the three meetings prior to this meeting there has been such passivity and weakness. 

But that has not been the case this time.  And acknowledging that, let me say that it is far easier to be quiet, not show up, not speak up, not plan, and “wish that it would all go away” and escape back home to one’s diocese.  Doing the opposite of those things is very very very hard, especially when you are in a losing battle.

But they did it.  They showed up for the fight, they took their lumps, and they did their duty.  And they lost—but they won too.  History will not be kind to the actions of the “progressive” Episcopal bishops today.

In this instance, our traditional bishops serve as an example to traditional lay Episcopalians.  We should be challenged to live up to this standard in our own contexts.