By Kirk Petersen The Bishops of South Carolina are talking. After nearly a decade of property litigation and millions of dollars of legal costs, the leaders of rival dioceses in South Carolina have held ongoing talks since they met each other for the first time on April 21. They hope to avoid further conflict among Christians over the ownership of property. These are … [Read more...] about New Bishops Seek “A New Season” in South Carolina
Bishop Mark Lawrence
Five Candidates for Bishop Announced in S. Carolina
By Kirk Petersen The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, which has not had a full-time bishop diocesan since 2012, has announced a slate of five candidates to become the XV Bishop of South Carolina. The winner will inherit a diocese of 30 congregations and a protracted lawsuit over the ownership of half a billion dollars in property. The candidates, in alphabetical … [Read more...] about Five Candidates for Bishop Announced in S. Carolina
TEC Loses in Latest South Carolina Property Decision
By Kirk Petersen The confusing saga of church property litigation in South Carolina grew even more confusing on June 19, as a state circuit court appears to have reversed what was thought to be the decision of the South Carolina Supreme Court, to which the circuit court is subservient. Circuit Court Judge Edgar Dickson ruled almost entirely in favor of the parishes now … [Read more...] about TEC Loses in Latest South Carolina Property Decision
Judge Rules “Diocese of South Carolina” Belongs to TEC
By Kirk Petersen Update: A message posted on the ACNA website reads in part: "Lawyers for the diocese are reviewing the ruling and will be discussing next steps with Bishop Mark Lawrence and the Standing Committee. The diocese will be working in the coming days to come into compliance with this order. In the state case regarding ownership of property, on … [Read more...] about Judge Rules “Diocese of South Carolina” Belongs to TEC
A Provisional Solution
Sic et nonBy Mark McCallJesse Zink’s “Why Provinces Matter” and the responses from William G. Witt and Colin Podmore [TLC, May 26] illustrate the range of opinions on what South Carolina’s ultimate ecclesial structure should be, from standalone province to joining the Anglican Church in North America. One thing in common to all of the initial essays, however, was the … [Read more...] about A Provisional Solution
Rise in Glory: Bertha Lawrence
Bishop Mark Lawrence writes about his final visit with his mother, Bertha Ann Coombs Lawrence, on Dec. 11-12:It was a grace-filled time for which I am grateful. For the prayers of many; for the chance to see and talk with her while she was still lucid; for time to pray and read the Scriptures with her; for time with family and long-time friends I give thanks. But most of all I … [Read more...] about Rise in Glory: Bertha Lawrence
Expectations and Hopes
Analysis by Mark McCallThe reverberations continue from a sudden shift in the Diocese of South Carolina’s relationship to the Episcopal Church that occurred in October when the Disciplinary Board for Bishops certified Bishop Mark Lawrence for abandonment. This in turn triggered a resolution in the diocese resulting in automatic disassociation from the Episcopal Church. In … [Read more...] about Expectations and Hopes
+Lawrence: ‘So We Move On’
From the Diocese of South CarolinaDecember 5, 2012Dear Friends in Christ,“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5The Presiding Bishop called me this afternoon to inform me that she and her council of advice have accepted my renunciation of ordained ministry. I listened quietly, asked a … [Read more...] about +Lawrence: ‘So We Move On’