A statement from the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, 

Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles

August 17, 2004

 

This morning, the rectors of St. James' Episcopal Church, Newport Beach, and All Saints' Episcopal Church, Long Beach, came to my office and hand-delivered to my executive for operations, Mr. David Tumilty, letters stating the following:

 

[Letter from the rector and senior warden of St. James Church, Newport Beach]

 

 This is to inform you that the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of St. James Parish in Newport Beach, California by vote of its vestry and members has disassociated itself from the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and the Diocese of Los Angeles, and has aligned itself with the Diocese of Luweero, Anglican Province of Uganda. The Rt. Rev. Evans M. Kisekka of the Diocese of Luweero had also accepted Rev. Praveen Bunyan, Rev. Richard A. Menees, and Deacon Kathleen Adams under his ecclesiastical authority.

We have delivered this letter to you personally in order to honor you by having you learn of these actions from us instead of from any other source.

 

[Signed by] Praveen Bunyan, Rector, St. James Church

[Signed by] Jim Dale, Senior Warden, St. James Church

 

[Letter from the rector and senior warden of All Saints' Church, Long Beach]

This is to inform you that the Rector, Wardens and Vestry of All Saints Church in Long Beach, California by vote of its vestry and members have disassociated itself from the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and the Diocese of Los Angeles, and has aligned itself with the Diocese of Luweero, Anglican Province of Uganda. The Rt. Rev. Evans M. Kisekka of the Diocese of Luweero had also accepted Fr. William A. Thompson under his ecclesiastical authority.

We have delivered this letter to you personally in order to honor you by having you learn of these actions from us instead of from any other source.

 

[Signed by] Fr. William A. Thompson, Rector, All Saints Church

[Signed by] David Thornburg, Senior Warden, All Saints Church

 

The rectors of these two parishes, after delivering these letters to Mr. Tumilty, left a long voice-mail message on my cell phone in an attempt to communicate with me. Two hours later, Mr. Tumilty was able to contact me when I returned to my home. 

 

An e-mail press release sent by the two parishes within an hour after the priests and wardens delivered their letters stated, "St. James and All Saints' are loyal to the historic teachings of Christianity, observed by the mainstream of the Anglican Communion. Their members believe the Episcopal Church USA has chosen a path that no longer reflects this steadfast faith." Although the statements issued by the two parishes did not describe the specifics of their dissatisfaction, I am sure that it is in some way related to the moves that the General Convention has recently taken.  

 

I have made ongoing and longstanding attempts to be their bishop and pastor and friend. I have had no warning of this taking place, and am saddened by their unwillingness to call my office and make an appointment to discuss this before they made this attempt to move to the Diocese of Luweero in the Province of Uganda. I have been in contact with the Presiding Bishop, and the chancellors of the diocese are reviewing this matter with me. 

 

I have recently offered these two congregations, along with two others, the option of alternative pastoral oversight by an Episcopal bishop with whom they are in agreement. It was an option they declined. At the time, their spokesman, the Rev. William Thompson, said there was no need for that at this time, and they were looking forward to my visitation to their church.

 

Until I have had an opportunity to fully consider this action and its validity, the diocese will have no further statement. There are many matters to consider before these actions can be considered final. 

 

J. Jon Bruno

Bishop of Los Angeles

 

 

END

 

The Very Rev'd Erich A. Zwingert, SSC, Rector
St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church
101 Homewood Boulevard
Delray Beach, Florida 33445
561.265.1960
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