Several persons have told me recently that they believe that your diocese, within the past few or several years, has amended its Constitution in some way that can be read as cutting against an "unqualified accession" to the Constitution and canons of the Episcopal Church. First of all, could you please send me a copy of your Constitution so that I can have first-hand knowledge on this score.
Second, if your diocese has indeed adopted such an amendment, then, on behalf of the Presiding Bishop, I want to express the hope that your diocese will promptly begin the process of amending its Constitution to declare clearly an "unqualified accession" as Article V of the Church's Constitution plainly requires. If your diocese should decline to take that step, the Presiding Bishop will have to consider what sort of action she must take in order to bring your diocese into compliance.
With warm regards,
David Booth Beers
Pretty incredible, since I have heard from several people in the past 24 hours that they heard from him ten years ago when we amended our Constitution. And now it seems he thinks it just a rumor he is checking into. Our Constitution is on the web at www.fwepiscopal.org/resources/resources.html
A plain reading of Article V indicates that unqualified accession is required for a new diocese to be admitted into union with the General Convention. It says nothing about the maintenance of said accession.
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