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Posted Thursday, February 21, 2008
Memos and notes from the Standing Committee
May – Sep | 2007
To: Peter Wilmerding, Chair Finance & Property Cc: Stephen P. Chawaga, Esq., Chancellor From: The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Date: Friday, September 07, 2007
We thank you and the members of the Finance & Property Committee for the opportunity to participate in the important discussion about Wapiti. After meeting with the members of Finance & Property and the Executive Committee of the Diocesan Council on Wednesday, September 5, 2007, the Standing Committee took the following position:
We have come to the recognition that this Diocese cannot afford Wapiti: the Wilderness Retreat in Maryland.
We will give our canonically required consent for the Diocese to obtain a commercial mortgage to purchase the land from The Conservation Fund subject to the following stipulations:
- The Wapiti property is to be sold.
- All proceeds from the sale of the property in excess of the amount required to satisfy the mortgage are to be used to restore the endowment funds which were used to purchase, improve and maintain Wapiti.
- In order to minimize the carrying costs until the property is sold, Wapiti will cease operation as of October 15, 2007.
Please note that this is our response based on the information provided at the meeting and that additional legal and financial advice is needed to identify the requirements that we would need in order to approve a prudent and timely mortgage and to confirm a process and timeline for the sale of the property.
At its regularly scheduled meeting on June 19, 2007, the Standing Committee discussed the proposed Cathedral Commons project with highly respected and knowledgeable members of the Diocese including the Dean of the Cathedral. After a lengthy discussion, the Standing Committee continues to have significant reservations about the conception and execution of this proposed real estate transaction in light of our financial crisis and Episcopate leadership concerns.
Our concern is also that essential information is lacking and that definite answers concerning actual financial obligations to the Diocese (and the Cathedral Chapter) related to the proposed transaction are required before further commitments are made. We also question if the emphasis on real estate acquisition and development is sidetracking us from the call of Jesus to spread the Gospel, especially among the poor and weak.
We continue to respect those who disagree with our views and in no way question their love and devotion for the Church and for the people of this Diocese.
At its regularly scheduled meeting on May 22, 2007, the Standing Committee listened to highly respected and knowledgeable members of the Diocese express their diverse opinions concerning the feasibility of the Cathedral Campus project. After a lengthy discussion, the Standing Committee came to share the opinion of those who have significant reservations about the conception and execution of this general plan. Coupled with our on-going and unresolved crises in leadership, finances and trust, we do not believe pursuing this venture would be positive for the Diocese, but will in fact intensify our problems. We also question if the emphasis on real estate acquisition and development is sidetracking us from the call of Jesus to spread the Gospel, especially among the poor and weak.
We continue to respect those who disagree with our views and in no way question their love and devotion for the Church and for the people of this Diocese.
After meeting with the Wapiti Board on Tuesday, May 1, 2007, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania reaffirms its decision of Tuesday, April 24, 2007 not consenting to the request “for designation of proceeds from sale of closed church properties for the youth program in the amount of $144,000.”
For ten years we have labored under questionable Diocesan priorities. Therefore, until the Wapiti Board recognizes the chaotic state of our Diocese as an inevitable result of our dysfunctional Episcopal leadership, we remain firm in our decision concerning the request for funds.
The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania