The controversy between All Saints, Pawleys Island, and the Diocese of South Carolina is an unfortunate one in our diocesan family. Because there has been such a flurry of misinformation about it, we invite the diocese to be calm, prayerful, and to seek the truth as we anticipate the celebration of the birth of our Lord, the prince of Peace.

For the purposes of clarification, I wish to quote here a vestry resolution of the vestry of All Saints Church, dated October 10, 2003, and passed unanimously:

"In response to the recommendations of the Discernment Committee, the vestry has determined that All Saints Church can no longer remain a part of the Episcopal Church, USA [ECUSA] and appoints a committee to guide us through the process necessary to leave the ECUSA."

This is a significant action, yet I received no communication about it. There was also a subsequent vestry decision in December to change the wording of the parish's 1902 charter in important ways which also was not communicated to me.

As I mentioned before to you, there was a meeting between my Canon Theologian, myself, Bishop Murphy, the Senior Warden of All Saints, Pawleys Island, and one layperson from the parish, by mutual agreement, on December 13th. Neither of the official actions of the Vestry were revealed.

When a vestry of a parish in the diocese votes to take action to leave the church, they cannot then hold an office as a vestry of the church from which they have voted to depart. After prayerful consideration and consultation with the Chancellor of the diocese, I then proceeded to exercise my canonical responsibility as Bishop. This is a matter of deep regret about which I felt I had no choice.

This simple public statement of the facts is really all that needs to be said. If any member of the diocese feels a need for additional information, I am more than willing to respond personally. A media campaign about this matter is not helpful in the proclamation of the gospel, nor a fitting witness to the Christ child. I ask for your prayers for everyone involved.

(The Rt. Rev.) Edward L. Salmon, Jr.
Bishop of South Carolina, XIII