An Open Letter to Bishop James M. Stanton

We the undersigned are deeply disturbed by the Standing Committee's call (dated July 3, 2006) asking you to pursue "an appropriate realignment" or, if it becomes necessary, an "ordered and mutually respectful separation of congregations and dioceses" from the Episcopal Church.

The Standing Committee has no canonical authority to speak for the Diocese nor is it authorized to act for the Diocese in this matter. As you have acknowledged, only the Convention of this Diocese can act on the "recommendations" of the Standing Committee and only the General Convention of the Episcopal Church can dissolve this Diocese.

Quite apart from the legalities, the views of the Standing Committee are not representative of the Diocese as a whole. We are heartened by your pledge to create an advisory body, but we urge you to make it truly representative of the diversity of viewpoints in this Diocese. We are equally heartened by your pledge to meet with parish clergy and lay leadership to hear from them "their concerns and desires". We would respectfully urge you to make these times of mutual listening.

There is no need to ever dissolve our bonds of communion or for anyone to leave our Church. You have stated there "cannot be a center, a via media if you like". "Via Media" does not mean to compromise one's convictions, to find some feel-good, soft-headed compromise, or to just give in to get along. The members of Via Media Dallas each have strong convictions of a diverse range, yet we agree that we can stay in communion, strengthen ourselves by sharing and debating the issues of the day, and worship our Lord by our common manner of prayer and liturgy. Separation never strengthened the Church. Jesus communed with "sinners and tax collectors" and chastised Pharisees who tried to make themselves "holy" by separating from them. We are no more warranted than the Pharisees to separate from other members of the Body of Christ.

We call upon you to honor your ordination vow "to conform to the doctrine, discipline and worship of The Episcopal Church". Despite your disagreements with majority decisions of the last two General Conventions, we ask you to continue with us within the bounds of the Episcopal Church. Like you, we value the Anglican Communion and deeply regret the current impairment.

We acknowledge our manifold sins and wickedness, but look to Christ and His redeeming grace to reconcile us all to Himself. We pray that you will lead us in the work of repairing the torn fabric by avoiding all talk of schism and by healing rather than creating division, so that together we may reveal the love of Christ to our broken world.

July 16, 2006

Signed,
Scott Cantrell
Susan Fisk
Duane Harbin
Dixie Hutchinson
Dick Kerner
Liz Oliphant
David Pyke
Michael van Breda
Ron Whitehead

An Open Letter from The Steering Committee of Via Media Dallas
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