Consents Given for the Election of Mark Lawrence as Next South Carolina Bishop

Posted by Kendall Harmon

The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina has been notified a majority of bishops with jurisdiction and a majority of Standing Committees have consented to the election of the Very Rev. Mark Lawrence as the 14th bishop of South Carolina. A consecration is planned for Saturday, January 26th, 2008. The diocese looks forward to a continued vigorous mission under its new bishop.

Update: An ENS article is there.

Filed under: * Anglican - EpiscopalEpiscopal Church (TEC)TEC Bishops* South Carolina

21 Comments
Posted October 29, 2007 at 12:00 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. miserable sinner wrote:

Good news indeed.  Prayers for the Bp. Elect, his family and friends, the Diocese of South Carolina, and all Bishops and Standing Committees of the Episcopal Church who have been guided by the Holy Spirit in this matter. 

Peace,

October 29, 12:17 pm | [comment link]
2. Charley wrote:

Pray, Brothers and Sisters, that +Mark does not turn into a Company Man.

October 29, 12:22 pm | [comment link]
3. William P. Sulik wrote:

Charley,

  I do not know Fr. Lawrence, but from all I’ve read, it is highly doubtful.  Nevertheless, I’m sure he would welcome prayers that his ministry would always remain faithful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

October 29, 12:35 pm | [comment link]
4. Jennie TCO wrote:

Thanks be to God!  Can’t wait for the Lawrences to get to SC.

October 29, 12:37 pm | [comment link]
5. Kendall Harmon wrote:

My particular thanks to the parish of Saint Paul’s Bakersfield who have been great throughout this whole challenging process.

October 29, 12:43 pm | [comment link]
6. Rob Eaton+ wrote:

Exactly, William.  Mark IS a Company Man - the J.C. Company.
Congratulations to TECusa for getting it right; to Mark and his family; and as Kendall noted to St. Paul’s, for their patience, endurance and grace.

RGEaton

October 29, 1:19 pm | [comment link]
7. Sarah1 wrote:

FANTASTIC NEWS!!!

Brian from T19’s prediction was correct the second time around.
; > )

October 29, 1:23 pm | [comment link]
8. Ad Orientem wrote:

Many Years!

October 29, 1:27 pm | [comment link]
9. Chris wrote:

As +Mark wrote last year when the consent process failed:

“...All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well”

October 29, 1:36 pm | [comment link]
10. Brian from T19 wrote:

Brian from T19’s prediction was correct the second time around.
; > )

Ha!  You think you can bait me with such a simple trick!  Well, you’re right!

I was right the first and second time!

October 29, 2:15 pm | [comment link]
11. Jeffersonian wrote:

I’m always willing to be wrong when it means good things happening.

October 29, 2:16 pm | [comment link]
12. Philip Snyder wrote:

I don’t mind Bishop-elect Lawrence being a “company man” as long as it is “The Blessed Company of all Faithful People.”

May God bless His new Bishop and may Bishop (elect) Lawrence guide the Diocese of South Carolina and the entire ECUSA into continuing in the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship.

YBIC,
Phil Snyder

YBIC,
Phil Snyder

October 29, 2:17 pm | [comment link]
13. Sarah1 wrote:

And isn’t it marvelous that Bishop Lawrence did not have to do what Brian from T19 stated he thought Bishop Lawrence might have to do in order to receive consents the second time around, ie: “However, you may be correct that a pledge of total fealty to TEC may be needed for (+)Lawrence to be confirmed.  But that is the fault of bishops like +Iker and +Duncan, not of other faithful bishops.”

I know that Brian is as thrilled as I am today!!!

October 29, 2:25 pm | [comment link]
14. Jafer wrote:

#13. Sarah, you state a quote:
“However, you may be correct that a pledge of total fealty to TEC may be needed for (+)Lawrence to be confirmed.  But that is the fault of bishops like +Iker and +Duncan, not of other faithful bishops.”
I am new to this quote; what do you or the author mean exactly by “But that is the fault of bishops like +Iker and +Duncan, not of other faithful bishops”?
Jafer

October 29, 2:50 pm | [comment link]
15. Br. Michael wrote:

Jafer, I think that is Brian’s quote that Sarah is using.  You need to ask Brian what he meant by it.

October 29, 2:59 pm | [comment link]
16. HowardRGiles+ wrote:

Congratulations to Mark+ and the good people of South Carolina! 

May the Lord grant continued support and guidance to the people of St. Paul’s Bakersfield.  May the Lord send wise and faithful Bishops to do His work of consecration through the power of His Holy Ghost!  May the Lord guide and protect Mark+, his wife and his whole family!

October 29, 3:00 pm | [comment link]
17. Pb wrote:

Hey. Even if he had to pledge total fealty to TEC, he was just the messager and signed off only to show solidality and inclusiveness.

October 29, 3:04 pm | [comment link]
18. TomRightmyer wrote:

I am glad to learn that despite the balderdash resolutions of Executive Council the majority of the bishops and Standing Committees are not willing to throw the conservatives under the bus.

October 29, 3:40 pm | [comment link]
19. Ross wrote:

I’m glad to hear this.  I’ve said all along that he should have gotten his consents the first time around.

I think that both (soon-to-be)+Lawrence and the Diocese of South Carolina showed remarkable restraint and patience above-and-beyond the call of duty in being willing to go thorugh the process a second time.  In reversed circumstances, I’m not at all certain that I would have been able to be a voice counseling similar patience; so I commend the Diocese and their bishop-elect for it.

October 29, 4:30 pm | [comment link]
20. Alta Californian wrote:

I have it from a member of our standing committee here in Northern California that we changed our vote to yes this time around.  I’m told Bishop Beisner actively lobbied for consent (this in spite of Lawrence’s opposition to Beisner’s election at GC).

The general sentiment was that oppositon to Lawrence would only be counterproductive.  Those concerned that he would lead SC out of TEC realized that to withhold consent would only alienate SC further and push them out anyway.  There was also a general feeling that we should respect their decision (even if folks like Lawrence didn’t quite accept ours).

I for one am relieved, and pray blessings for Lawrence and SC.

October 29, 4:39 pm | [comment link]
21. Sam Dargan wrote:

Thanks to Alta Californian for the post and the prayer. That Bp Beisner lobbied for Lawrence seems to me a reminder that the Spirit can assist us in unexpected ways, when we speak the truth in love.

October 29, 8:15 pm | [comment link]
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