Network Chancellor Challenges Defamation of Bishop Cox
R. Wicks Stephens II, chancellor for the Anglican Communion Network, and legal counsel to Bishop William J. Cox, recently challenged the defamation of Bishop Cox.
Stephens wrote Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on March 27. Noting the significant canonical failures in the purported deposition of Bishop Cox, “demand is hereby made that you right the wrong by which you have defamed Bishop Cox by immediately withdrawing your pronouncement,” he stated.
According to Stephens, the purported deposition did not receive the required consent of a majority of the whole number of Bishops entitled to vote on the measure. As such, it is “without effect and void.”
Stephens also challenged belated attempts by Episcopal Church Chancellor David Booth Beers to put forth a novel reading of the canon. “When Canon IV.9.2 clearly and unambiguously calls for a majority of ‘the whole number of Bishops entitled to vote,’ it means precisely a majority of the whole number of Bishops entitled to vote (see, Art.I.2), and not a mere majority of those present at the time,” stated Stephens.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has ignored numerous canonical requirements in her attempts to depose Network and other orthodox Episcopal Bishops. Bishop Cox and Bishop John-David Schofield were both purportedly deposed during The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops meeting March 12. There were numerous canonical problems with the proceedings. Most significant was a simple lack of votes necessary to depose. The Episcopal Church’s Canons state that a majority of “the whole number of Bishops entitled to vote,” is required to depose a bishop for the charge brought against Bishop Cox. In total, there are 294 bishops eligible. Less than half of the bishops, 131, were in attendance at the March meeting. Some left before the vote, others opposed the motion, leaving fewer than a third of those entitled to respond to a voice vote for consent.
“For years, the leadership of The Episcopal Church has presented itself as a scrupulou defender of the canons and polity. It is sad, but hardly shocking, to see they never really meant it,” said Canon Daryl Fenton, chief operating officer for the Network.
Here is the full text of Stephens’ letter.