John Burwell a candidate for Bishop of Upper South Carolina

Posted by Kendall Harmon

The new bishop will be elected by clergy of the diocese and by lay delegates representing the diocese's 64 congregations. Voting will continue until a nominee receives a majority of both clergy and lay votes on the same ballot. Results will be posted in real time at http://www.edusc.org.

The election comes during a tense time in The Episcopal Church, which affirmed earlier this year that gays and lesbians in monogamous relationships are eligible for "any ordained ministry," and that same-sex unions can be blessed. In response, the Diocese of South Carolina called a special convention during which four of five resolutions were passed, including one that calls on the bishop and standing committee "to begin withdrawing from all bodies of The Episcopal Church that have assented to actions contrary to Holy Scripture, the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this Church has received them." Burwell, citing allegiance to his bishop, said he voted in favor of this resolution, but that it was misunderstood by many observers.

"I voted for it because our bishop (Mark Lawrence) asked me to vote for it," Burwell said in a telephone interview. "It was a strategy, not theological."

Read it all.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Bishops • TEC Diocesan Conventions/Diocesan Councils

11 Comments
Posted December 11, 2009 at 5:00 am [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Br_er Rabbit wrote:

I voted for it before I voted against it.

December 11, 7:44 am | [comment link]
2. Doug Martin wrote:

And Mark Lawrence does not intend to lead his diocese out of TEC…

A great reason not to give Burwell the opportunity.

December 11, 8:31 am | [comment link]
3. David Keller wrote:

#1 and 2—For many of us in DUSC tomorrow will determine whether we can stay in the Episcopal Chruch. If Burwell, Michell or Williams is elected, we will stay.  If Thompson, Linder or Waldo is elected we will leave. For me, and many, many others, it is about theology not politics.  For us, there in nothing humorous or sarcastic about tomorrow’s vote.

December 11, 9:30 am | [comment link]
4. evan miller wrote:

David,
I certainly appreciate your position.  Upper SC will be in my prayers tomorrow.

December 11, 10:52 am | [comment link]
5. montanan wrote:

Ditto #4.

December 11, 11:03 am | [comment link]
6. julia wrote:

For those who think the outflow out of TEC is over .... just watch in light of recent bishop elections.  There has been a pause as people in dioceses with bishops retiring are awaiting results.  Watch Louisiana after last week.

December 11, 11:18 am | [comment link]
7. Doug Martin wrote:

David Keller et al.  Neither humor nor sarcasm was intended.  As I am also a member of the DUSC, some of us feel as strongly about continued membership in a diocese which may be led out of TEC despite promises to the contrary.  Go where you will, with my blesing and God’s.  Don’t take the diocese with you.

December 11, 1:52 pm | [comment link]
8. David Keller wrote:

#7—What a strange comment.  I assume you don’t even know me, as I don’t recall you. I am very tired of being accused of wanting to take the diocese out of TEC.  I suppose I think it even stranger that you think I have any power to effectuate anything in DUSC, much less taking it out of TEC. Please read what I wrote.  If you elect one of the “bottom three” I’m leaving. I assume you the diocese will still be here wherever I happen to go.

December 11, 2:27 pm | [comment link]
9. Sarah wrote:

RE: “Don’t take the diocese with you.”

Utterly random and irrelevant, as the search committee was quite clear in its written comments—posted on the bishop search website—that all candidates wished to stay in TEC.

Not to mention the fact that if any bishop attempted to do such a thing in DUSC, 61 out of 61 parishes would be staying.

Simply a bizarre, untouched-by-reality statement.

December 11, 4:57 pm | [comment link]
10. Rob Eaton+ wrote:

Doug Martin,
You have espoused a fear that has been given irrational and unreasonable impetus by a group or groups of people who have clear ties with 815 and who make “visits” to certain dioceses where and when these irrationalities are deemed strategic.  I have proof of that.

Perhaps you’ve been listening to these voices.  They are not helpful.  They are insurgents with discussion ending comments.

What is proof of the irrationality is exactly that of which Sarah (9) reminded you.  Further, people who personally know each of the three that David Keller (2) mentioned know they are committed, nay, called, to a ministry in TEC as it exists currently.
All of their answers in the search question formats, and what I’ve read from the walk-abouts, should tell you that all of these three want a strong diocese with strong congregations, not outside TEC, but INside TEC.

I encourage you to vote for one of these three, as they will be the best possibility of fulfilling the description, definition and responsibilities of a bishop as articulated in the bishop ordination office in the Book of Common Prayer.

December 12, 5:33 am | [comment link]
11. Doug Martin wrote:

Ad hominem comment deleted by elf.

December 12, 8:32 am | [comment link]
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