FORT WORTH: Wantland denies having renounced his orders

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_105054_ENG_HTM.htm

[Episcopal Life Online] 14 Feb 2009--In a statement posted online, retired Diocese of Eau Claire Bishop William Wantland denies having told Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori that he wanted to renounce his orders.

On January 15, Jefferts Schori said that Wantland had written to her November 15 to say that he had "canonically affiliated" with the Argentina-based Anglican Province of the Southern Cone. She said that Wantland declared in his letter that he was no longer a member of the Episcopal Church.

Jefferts Schori said that Wantland, who was serving as an assisting bishop in the Diocese of Fort Worth, sent his letter as a result of the Diocese of Fort Worth's attempt on November 15 to realign with the province of the Southern Cone. Wantland's statement, the Presiding Bishop said, made it clear that he has left the Episcopal Church "and no longer wishes to carry out the responsibilities of ordained ministry in this Church." Thus, she said, she accepted his voluntary renunciation with the consent of her Council of Advice on January 15 and released him from his orders.