Governance news posted Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Concerning the Ordination Process in the Diocese of Pennsylvania

A Letter from The Standing Committee,
The Commission on Ministry,
and The Rt. Rev. Edward Lee, Jr.

To: All Rectors and Vicars

We have been in a moratorium period concerning those wishing to begin the ordination process in the Diocese of Pennsylvania since the inhibition of our diocesan bishop. This has meant that those who wish to begin to move through the process have been told that there will be no Pre-Postulancy Conference in 2009.

At the request of the Standing Committee The Rt. Rev. Edward L. Lee, Jr. has assumed the responsibilities required canonically for a bishop to maintain support for those who are already in process. The Standing Committee, The Commission on Ministry, and Bishop Lee all believe that, though we cannot see very far into the future, we would like to begin to consider candidates for a 2010 Pre-Postulancy Conference in the hope that we will not have to extend the moratorium.

Bishop Lee has the responsibility to prepare and invite nominees to a Pre-Postulancy Conference in 2010. Therefore, if you have candidates whom you discern to be called to ordination you may contact Bishop Lee for further instruction and information about the steps in the process. He will consult with The Rev. Rodger Broadley, Chair of the Commission on Ministry, which has the responsibility of organizing and implementing the Conference.

While we are not certain if a Pre-Postulancy Conference will be possible in 2010 we are hopeful that it will be achievable. We are aware of the need for this ministry to be renewed and revitalized at this time in our diocese and feel that with the prayers of the diocese and the hope we all maintain in God’s grace we will be able to assure those in our midst who are called to the ordained ministry that we will do all in our power to support them in this process.

Bishop Lee may be reached by phone (610-949-9429) or by email at

Thank you for your patience in this matter and in all the issues we have faced together this past year. May we go forward together in a spirit of renewal, assured that the power of the Holy Spirit will guide us in all things.

Faithfully,

The Standing Committee
The Commission on Ministry
The Rt. Rev. Edward L. Lee, Jr., Assisting Bishop for Ordinations