On Saturday, June 30, 2012, it was announced that a group of active and retired TEC bishops have been notified that they are accused of violating the church's disciplinary canons. Seven bishops received the following message via e-mail:

As the Intake Officer for the Church, I am obliged to inform you that a complaint has been received against you for your action in filing of Amicus Curiae Brief in the pending appeal in the Supreme Court of Texas in opposition to The Episcopal Diocese of Texas and The Episcopal Church. In the next few weeks, I will initiate a disciplinary process according to Title IV Canon 6 Sec. 3 & 4 of the Constitution and Canons of e Episcopal Church.

Sincerely,
[The Rt. Rev.] Clay [Matthews]

Bishop Iker has the following statement:

We are saddened by the report that TEC is initiating disciplinary measures against seven faithful bishops of the church who have signed an amicus brief in our direct appeal to the Texas Supreme Court. It is deeply disturbing that TEC authorities would resort to this sort of manipulation and intimidation in an effort to stifle dissent and silence any opposition to their claims.

Our prayers and support continue to be with these brave bishops, and we are grateful for the courageous stand they have taken in speaking the truth in the face of severe criticism from TEC leadership. I am informed by individuals who are experts in canon law that the charges against these bishops have no basis under TEC’s canons or constitution. Nevertheless, initiating the threat of canonical prosecution graphically illustrates how far TEC leadership is willing to go in their efforts to alter the historic polity of TEC to suit their own purposes. We sincerely thank the ACI for taking this initiative and for courageously presenting the convincing case that they have made.

The Rt. Rev. Jack L. Iker
Bishop of Fort Worth

Two more bishops received a similar message arising from litigation concerning the Diocese of Quincy.

More news about this matter is here:

http://anglicanink.com/article/seven-more-tec-bishops-charged-misconduct

and here:

http://accurmudgeon.blogspot.com/2012/06/stalinist-tactics-deployed-to-silence.html

Read our April 24story on the amicus brief here.

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