We, the undersigned bishops of the Episcopal Church, USA, reject as invalid - spiritually, morally and canonically - the deposition of the Revd David L. Moyer by the Right Revd Charles E. Bennison, Bishop of Pennsylvania.
In doing so, we are joining with the Most Revd George L. Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, and many other bishops around the world who have refused to acknowledge the validity of the deposition. By Bishop Bennison's action, Fr. Moyer has been deprived of due process and any court of appeal. We believe no credible case has been made that Fr. Moyer has 'abandoned the communion' of this Church. Further, we support the Right Revd Robert W. Duncan, Bishop of Pittsburgh, in his decision to receive Fr. Moyer as a priest in good standing, making him canonically resident in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Signatories as of September 5, 2002:
The Right Revd Keith L. Ackerman, Bishop of Quincy
The Right Revd Peter H. Beckwith, Bishop of Springfield
The Right Revd David J. Bena, Bishop Suffragan of Albany
The Right Revd Andrew H. Fairfield, Bishop of North Dakota
The Right Revd Daniel W. Herzog, Bishop of Albany
The Right Revd John W. Howe, Bishop of Central Florida
The Right Revd Jack L. Iker, Bishop of Fort Worth
The Right Revd Stephen H. Jecko, Bishop of Florida
The Right Revd Terence Kelshaw, Bishop of Rio Grande
The Right Revd Hugo L. Pina-Lopez, Assistant Bishop, Diocese of Central Florida
The Right Revd Edward Salmon, Bishop of South Carolina
The Right Revd William J. Skilton, Bishop Suffragan of South Carolina
The Right Revd James M. Stanton, Bishop of Dallas
Retired Bishop signatories as of September 5, 2002:
The Right Revd Fitzsimons Allison, Bishop of South Carolina, Retired
The Right Revd Maurice M. Benitez, Bishop of Texas, Retired
The Right Revd Gordan T. Charlton, Bishop Suffragan of Texas, Retired
The Right Revd William J. Cox, Assistant Bishop of Oklahoma, Retired
The Right Revd Alex D. Dickson, Jr., Bishop of West Tennessee, Retired
The Right Revd William C. Frey, Bishop of Colorado, Retired
The Right Revd G. Edward Haynsworth, Assistant Bishop of South Carolina, Retired
The Right Revd John MacNaughton, Bishop of West Texas, Retired
The Right Revd William C. Wantland, Bishop of Eau Claire, Retired
