Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe: “Bishop Andrus will remain suspended from ministry until I am satisfied that he has demonstrated sufficient amendment of life to permit his return.”
Presiding Bishop Rowe believes that continued partnership with the federal government would undermine the church’s commitment to racial justice and reconciliation.
Pope Francis, 266th successor of Saint Peter as Bishop of Rome and leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics for the last twelve years, died on April 21 at 88.
The bishops joined in reflections and conversations on issues including declining church attendance, prayer as a form of witness, church property, Christian nationalism, immigration, hope and institutions, and Title IV.
Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania pioneered a collaborative approach that has spread across the Episcopal Church. A detailed evaluation probes the relationship and proposes several options for the future.
The 14 terminations and 16 early retirements help the church center shift from a staff of 143 to 110 and save the church approximately $2.13 million per year in personnel costs, surpassing savings goals set by General Convention.
Major goals include practical assistance with crisis communication, Title IV, and faster bishop searches, as well as a “reinvention” of General Convention.