Bishop William Wantland

FiF reacts to Schori’s disinformation on
Bishops Wantland & Scriven

January 23, 2009 

Bishop William C. Wantand

Forward in Faith is appalled by TEC Primate Jefferts Schori’s intentional disinformation and abuse of Church Law in her attack upon Bishop William C. Wantland, a bishop of the Province of the Southern Cone, and Bishop Henry Scriven, a bishop of the Church of England. The actions of Jefferts Schori are an embarrassment to Christians and all of Anglicanism. Bishop Wantland specifically stated in his letter that he “did not renounce his orders.” Schori acknowledged in her letter that Bishop Wantland had transferred provinces, which clearly demonstrate her disregard for other provinces of the Anglican Communion and the canons of her own TEC denomination. Clearly her statements misrepresent Bishop Wantland’s letter. Bishop Wantland and Bishop Scriven have not renounced their orders, nor have they abandoned the Communion, but have affirmed their orders and the Communion.

FiF is appreciative of Bishop Wantland’s leadership and willingness to stand for biblical truth and the faith and order of the undivided Church as a member of FiF. FiF commends Bishop Scriven for his witness to biblical orthodoxy held by Anglicans throughout the world. We offer prayers of thanksgiving for Bishop Wantland and Bishop Scriven’s faithfulness and ask our Lord Jesus to continue to bless their ministries as bishops for the further spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

XJohn Fulham

Chairman
Forward in Faith International

Text of Bishop William Wantland’s reply
(sent on 1/23/2009, electronically and by mail):

This date I have sent to Dr. Schori the following reply to her letters of January 15, 2009 and received electronically today:

Dr. Schori:
 
This will acknowledge electronic receipt on this date of a letter apparently not mailed to me, but dated January 15, 2009, purporting to "accept" my letter to you dated November 15, 2008 as a Renunciation of my Orders.
 
As you must know, my letter specifically declared that "I am not resigning my Orders".  Nowhere do I renounce or resign my Orders.  My letter to you in no way comports with the provisions of Canon III. 12. 7.  Further, I specifically requested status in the House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church in conformity with Rule XXIV of the House of Bishops.  This request has been totally ignored by you.
 
I can only conclude that either you (1) do not understand the plain and fairly simple language of either the Canons or my letter to you, or (2) have deliberately violated the Canons for your own purposes and contrary to your obligation as a Christian not to bear false witness.  Further, as you acknowledge in your cover letter that I have transferred to another Province of the Anglican Communion, you therefore have absolutely no jurisdiction over me or my ministry, and your purported action of January 15, 2009, is simply null and void.
 
I would request a response, indicating whether you lack a basic understanding of the English language, or choose to engage in illegal activities.  There is no other possible rational interpretation of your actions.
 
Faithfully,
 
The Rt. Rev. William C. Wantland