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The 2008 Dallas diocesan convention in October passed two resolutions requesting the secretary of the convention to communicate to Presiding Bishop Schori Resolution 2008 R07 contained in the letter below dated December 15, 2008, and Resolution 2008 R08 referenced below it of the same date. Bishop Schori responded by letter dated January 5, 2009.
December 15, 2008
The Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop
The Episcopal Church Center
815 Second Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Dear Presiding Bishop;
As Secretary of Convention of the Diocese of Dallas I have been requested to forward to you a resolution passed at the 113th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. It reads as follows:
Resolution 2008 R07
, that the 113th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas requests that the office of the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church provide each diocese of The Episcopal Church with the
following information:
a. the dollar amount spent by TEC on litigation against dioceses, parishes, groups of churches and individuals since General Convention 2006;
b. a list of the church accounts and/or budget items from which these funds were taken;
c. the proposed amount of money for litigation to be presented to the 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
, that the Secretary of Convention of the Diocese of Dallas communicate this request to the Presiding Bishop upon passage.
, that the Presiding Bishop’s response (or lack thereof) be reported to the clergy and people of the Diocese of Dallas prior to General Convention, 2009. The resolution was adopted.
We look forward to your response and will communicate it to the people and clergy of the Diocese of Dallas.
Blessings to you and your family during this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Richard R. D’Antoni
Secretary of Convention
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Mr. D’Antoni’s second letter was the same as the one above except it included Resolution 2008 R08
as follows:
, that the One Hundred Thirteenth Convention of the Diocese of Dallas requests that the Episcopal Church and all dioceses, parishes and bishops adopt a policy of negotiation and/or mediation with regard to disputes over property, and according to the request of the Dar Es Salaam Primate’s Communiqué, cease and desist from engaging in lawsuits with fellow Christians.
that the Secretary of the Convention of the Diocese of Dallas communicate this request to the office of the Presiding Bishop and Executive Council of the Episcopal Church.
, that the Secretary of this diocese report the Presiding Bishop’s response (or lack thereof) prior to the General Convention 2009. The resolution was adopted.
January 5, 2009
Mr. Richard R. D’Antoni
Secretary of Convention
The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas
1630 N. Garrett Avenue
Dallas, TX 75206-7702
Dear Sir:
Thank you for sharing the two resolutions passed by your recent Diocesan Convention. I appreciate knowing your position on property disputes and assure you that I have and continue to consider this position.
The financial information you request is available from the Episcopal Church website, Finance Office at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/finance_58295_ENG_HTM.htm?menupage=856. The budget proposal for 2010-2012 will be made public following its adoption by the Executive Council in late January.
I give thanks for your ministry, and pray that it may be a blessing to many. I remain
Your servant in Christ
Katharine Jefferts Schori
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Below is a table reporting the budgeted and actual legal expenses for the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) for the years available 2006, 2007, and 2008. The table indicates that legal expenses are for “Legal support to Diocese/Protection of property for Mission,” and “Title IV Investigation, Trials, and Legal,” which deal with clergy misconduct, investigations, and trials. These figures are from the national ECUSA website referenced in Bishop Schori’s letter.
| Description |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
| |
Actual |
Budget |
Actual |
Budget |
Actual |
Budget |
| Legal support to Diocese/ Protection of property for Mission |
$443,519 |
$0 |
$902,291 |
$500,000 |
$1,655,211 |
|
| Title IV Investigation, Trials and Legal |
$430,468 |
$100,000 |
$401,216 |
$300,000 |
$889,026 |
$350,000 |
| Source: ECUSA / TEC Finance Office Website |
The Executive Council of ECUSA recently approved the ECUSA budget for 2010-2012, which will be presented this summer at the General Convention of ECUSA. It contains a budgeted figure of $600,000 each year for legal expenses and Title IV expenses. The budget for 2009 is also $600,000.
The Presiding Bishop did not respond to the 2008 Resolution R08 requesting the adoption of a policy of negotiation and/or mediation with regard to property disputes. Many in the Diocese of Dallas know of our own Ministry of Conflict Transformation that has existed for over 10 years and addresses conflicts within parishes, and between parishes and the diocese. The Ministry uses negotiation, mediation, and the collaborative dispute-resolution process as a means to settle argument without costly lawsuits. These structured processes facilitate the fastest resolutions that are the least costly to the Church. Capably led by Laura Allen, Larry Maxwell, Gay Cox, and others, the process has involved approximately 25 people. The Ministry has successfully facilitated the resolution of disputes within the diocese. This approach is consistent with the request of the Dar Es Salaam Primate’s Communiqué to cease and desist from engaging in lawsuits with
fellow Christians.
Richard R. D’Antoni, Secretary of Convention
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