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FiF London | 20 August 2002 The Most Revd & Right Hon the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Dear Archbishop, I write to you as Chairman of the Co-ordinating Committee Of Forward in Faith International to seek your help in the matter of the impending deposition of Fr David Moyer, Chairman of Forward in Faith North America. David's personal predicament is seen by members of Forward in Faith on three continents as an epitome of the predicament in which they too find themselves in their respective churches. An action against Fr Moyer is an action which affects us all. The Bishops of Forward in Faith North America have agreed, as a sign of the confidence which they place in David, as a gifted pastor and man of faith, to license him in their dioceses and to give notice to the Bishop of Pennsylvania that those licenses will not be revoked if Fr Moyer is deposed. To the members of Forward in Faith in our three continents this will express clearly their rejection of that diocesan autonomy in faith and morals which threatens both the unity of the Communion and their continued place in it. With all this in mind, we are asking you, in solidarity with the Bishops of Fort Worth, Quincy and San Joaquin, to provide Fr Moyer with a Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Canterbury. I understand that a similar request is being sent by Forward in Faith North America to other Primates of the Communion. Yours sincerely, The Right Reverend John Broadhurst for the Co-ordinating Committee of Forward in Faith International
Lambeth Palace, London | 27 August 2002 The Rt Revd John Broadhurst Dear John, Thank you so much for your letter of 20 August concerning the impending deposition of Fr David Moyer, Chairman of Forward in Faith North America. As you are aware, I am watching these events with great anxiety and even now hope that we might persuade the bishop not to take this drastic action. I can confirm gladly that I have the highest regard for David and would have no hesitation in giving him permission to officiate in the Diocese of Canterbury. Indeed, I will go one step further to say that were he to seek a licence to officiate in the Province of Canterbury, I would be glad to offer it. Can I leave this with you to move it forward? Yours ever, George Archbishop of Canterbury
FiF London | 20 August 2002 The Most Revd the Archbishop of Wales Dear Archbishop, I write to you on behalf of the Co-ordinating Committee of Forward in Faith International to assure you of the prayers of Forward in Faith for you in the days and months which lie ahead, as you prepare to take up your new role as President of the Anglican Communion. At our meeting yesterday in Belleville, Illinois, we discussed the impending deposition by Bishop Charles Bennison of Fr David Moyer. David's personal predicament is seen by members of Forward in Faith on three continents as an epitome of the predicament in which they too find themselves in their respective churches. An action against Fr Moyer is an action which affects us all. The Bishops of Forward in Faith North America have agreed, as a sign of the confidence which they place in David, as a gifted pastor and man of faith, to license him in their dioceses and to give notice to the Bishop of Pennsylvania that those licenses will not be revoked if Fr Moyer is deposed. To the members of Forward in Faith in our three continents this will express clearly their rejection of that diocesan autonomy in faith and morals which threatens both the unity of the Communion and their continued place in it. With all this in mind, we are asking you, in solidarity with the Bishops of Fort Worth, Quincy and San Joaquin, to provide Fr Moyer with a Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of Monmouth. I understand that a similar request is being sent by Forward in Faith North America to other Primates of the Communion. Yours sincerely, The Reverend Dr Geoffrey Kirk
Bishopstow, Newport, Wales | 4 September 2002 The Revd Dr Geoffrey Kirk Dear Father, Thanks very much for your letter about David Moyer but also for the generous good wishes sent by Forward in Faith International. As you probably know, I have spoken with Fr David on the phone and expressed my concern about the situation in which he has been placed. From what I know of him, I could see no objection to my granting Permission to Officiate in this diocese or considering him for a licence here if the circumstances arose. All I know of him suggests that he is not guilty of any moral or doctrinal delinquency, and is respected as a priest of disciplined life, personal spirituality and great teaching capacity. However, in this Province the issue of licences entails certain rights and obligations within a diocese (there would have to be a canonical oath taking, he would be cited for formal Visitations, etc.), and my legal officers would be very reluctant to issue any licence to a person not connected in some way with the life of the diocese (we have recently restricted somewhat the number of categories for which a licence is appropriate); and Permissions are again normally given only to those resident here. I think, then, that the most I can do is to place on record what I've said in the second paragraph above. I hope this is some help. It is a worrying situation, and Fr David is in my prayers. Yours ever in Duo, + Rowan Archbishop of Wales and Monmouth
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