Network Chancellor Says PB Violated Canons, Defamed Retired Episcopal Bishop

http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=8016

{Virtue Online] 4 Apr 2008--An attempted knockout blow, aimed at the Rt. Rev. William J. Cox, a retired Episcopal bishop, failed to fell the 86-year old prelate. The ultra-liberal Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori has been publicly challenged to withdraw the deposition on grounds she violated the canons.

The PB and her attorney, David Booth Beers, have earned the title of the Episcopal Church's Laurel and Hardy over their handling of the depositions of multiple bishops. The worst case is this godly bishop, who has given more than 40 years of service to the Episcopal Church. His deposition came as his wife lies seriously ill with Alzheimer's.

The challenge to Mrs. Schori's actions comes from R. Wicks Stephens II, chancellor for the Anglican Communion Network, and legal counsel to Bishop William Cox. He has challenged the deposition as "the defamation of Bishop Cox."

Stephens wrote to both Mrs. Jefferts Schori and David Booth Beers saying their interpretation of Canon IV.9.2 was "without effect and void" and, "demanding that she make right the wrong" and to immediately withdraw "your pronouncement."

According to Stephens, the purported deposition did not receive the required consent of a majority of the whole number of Bishops entitled to vote on the measure.

Stephens accused Chancellor David Booth Beers of what amounts to a revisionist reading of the canon. "When Canon IV.9.2 clearly and unambiguously calls for a majority of 'the whole number of Bishops entitled to vote,' it means precisely a majority of the whole number of Bishops entitled to vote (see, Art.I.2), and not a mere majority of those present at the time"

"In light of the foregoing, demand is hereby made that you right the wrong by which you have defamed Bishop Cox by immediately withdrawing your pronouncement of deposition and that you publish your withdrawal in the same manner and to the same extent you have published your wrongful actions."

To date the Presiding Bishop has shown no interest in doing so.