Presiding Bishop Griswold to Meet
with Good Shepherd Leaders
William Murchison |
10 May 2002
PHILADELPHIA -- Episcopal Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold meets May 21 with the traditionalist leader temporarily barred from priestly duties by Pennsylvania Bishop Charles E. Bennison, Jr.
The Rev. Dr. David L. Moyer, rector of Church of the Good Shepherd in the Main Line suburb of Rosemont, said Griswold had invited him by letter to Episcopal Church headquarters in New York City for discussion of "a way
forward" in the controversy with Bennison, an outspoken theological liberal long at odds with diocesan conservatives. Griswold has likewise scheduled
a meeting May 16 with leaders of Good Shepherd's vestry. Bennison is not expected to attend either session.
Fr. Moyer will attend the March 21 meeting along with attorney John H. Lewis, Jr., who represents him in a civil lawsuit against the bishop and diocese. Bennison, in March, placed Moyer, 51, under inhibition for six
months, thus preventing him from functioning as pastor, preacher, and eucharistic celebrant.
Fr. Moyer, president of the Episcopal Church's largest
traditionalist organization, Forward in Faith/North America, has refused the bishop's repeated demands to visit the parish in order to preach and celebrate the Eucharist.
The Good Shepherd controversy was a prime topic for discussion at last month's meeting of Anglican primates from around the world, held at Canterbury Cathedral in England. Several primates reportedly told Griswold
they were shocked that a traditional priest and parish could experience persecution at the hands of a liberal establishment.
Good Shepherd parishioners learned of the planned visit during services May 5 in an announcement by rector's warden Stanley Bright, who with several other vestry members will attend the one-hour May 16 meeting.
Return to Moyer/Bennison archive
