Early Monday afternoon the Diocese of South Carolina Standing Committee received word that the Diocese of Southern Virginia Standing Committee reconvened and changed their earlier no to a yes. This now puts consents at 55.

As of Monday morning the Diocese of South Carolina Standing Committee received word that the Virgin Islands have said yes, and that the Diocese of Georgia Standing Committee reconvened and changed their earlier no to a yes.

(A few days ago the Diocese of Virginia joined East Tennessee and Kentucky in Reconsidering; Father Mark Lawrence Received their Consent;
Ohio, Eau Claire, Central Ecuador and Honduras voted "yes," as well.)

Two Items Follow:
A Letter From Mark Lawrence to Standing Committees;
An Update on Standing Committee Consents

Dear Standing Committees of The Episcopal Church,

I have been told that some diocesan Standing Committees have graciously offered to reconsider their denial of consent to my election as the XIV Bishop of South Carolina, if they only have assurance of my intention to remain in The Episcopal Church. Although I previously provided assurance of my intention, this has not been sufficient for some Standing Committees, which are earnestly seeking to make a godly discernment. Therefore, taking to heart the apostolic admonition in 1 Timothy 3:2, “Now a bishop must be above reproach, …temperate [free from rashness], sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher….” I am reminded to make every attempt to reason with those who have denied consent or who have not yet voted. As I stated at the walkabout in Charleston on September 9, 2006 and again in a statement written on 6 November 2006, I will make the vows of conformity as written in the BCP and the Constitution & Canons, (III.11.8). I will heartily make the vows conforming “…to the doctrine, discipline, and worship” of the Episcopal Church, as well as the trustworthiness of the Holy Scriptures. So to put it as clearly as I can, my intention is to remain in The Episcopal Church.

Yours in Christ,

The Very Reverend Mark J. Lawrence

An Update for Standing Committee Consents to the Episcopal Election in the Diocese of South Carolina

The Standing Committee wanted to give everyone an update on the consent process. We are thankful to the majority of Bishops with jurisdiction who have given consent for the consecration of our Bishop-elect the Very Rev. Mark Lawrence. We must also receive consent from fifty-six (56), of The Episcopal Church Standing Committees postmarked by March 12, 2007. Some votes have been cast in the negative by some dioceses, but these votes may be reconsidered and changed. It is only the votes recorded by the deadline that count canonically. We are encouraged that some Standing Committees have decided to meet and reconsider their vote, and are praying that others will consider similar action. We also stand ready to answer any and all questions posted to us in as direct and clear a manner as possible. We have received with gratitude the consents for the consecration of Fr. Mark Lawrence from the following fifty-five (55) Standing Committees:

Province I
Western Massachusetts

Province II
Albany
American Churches in Europe
Haiti
New Jersey
Virgin Islands

Province III
Northwestern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh
Southern Virginia
Virginia

Province IV
Alabama
Atlanta
Central Florida
Central Gulf Coast
East Tennessee
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
South Carolina
Southeast Florida
Southwest Florida
Tennessee
Upper South Carolina
West Tennessee

Province V
Eau Claire
Fond du Lac
Missouri
Northern Indiana
Ohio
Quincy
Southern Ohio
Springfield

Province VI
Colorado
Iowa
Minnesota
North Dakota

Province VII
Dallas
Fort Worth
Oklahoma
Rio Grande
Texas
West Texas
Western Louisiana

Province VIII
Alaska
Hawaii
San Diego
San Joaquin

Province IX
Central Ecuador
Dominican Republic
Honduras
Litoral (Equador)
Puerto Rico

We are grateful to Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori and her fellow Primates for establishing the concept of the office of Primatial Vicar with its attendant oversight by the Primate’s Pastoral Council and that of the Presiding Bishop. We see this proposal as a way forward to give us all space as our Communion pursues the development of the Anglican Covenant.

--The Rev. J. Haden McCormick
President of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of South Carolina