The national Episcopal Church has revoked the clergy credentials of David C. Bane Jr., Southern Virginia's Episcopal bishop from 1998 to 2006, after he joined a rival denomination.
Bane said Monday that he became part of the Anglican Church in North America when Episcopal clergy ostracized him following his retirement from the Diocese of Southern Virginia, which includes Hampton Roads.
"I feel much more at home and at comfort," Bane, 66, said of his decision. "I wouldn't have done it if they'd let me express myself in the Episcopal Church."
Bane's retirement in 2006 climaxed a bitter feud within the diocese over his leadership style and effectiveness.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori stripped Bane of his clerical authority in the Episcopal Church after he informed her of his affiliation with the Anglican Church this spring.
The Anglican Church formed after the Episcopal Church endorsed the ordination as bishop of a non-celibate gay New Hampshire priest, the Rev. V. Gene Robinson, in 2003.
The group represents clergy and congregants who contend the Episcopal Church is straying from orthodox interpretation of the Bible and church traditions on extra marital sex.
The Episcopal Church is part of the global Anglican Communion. Anglican Church members say they remain part of the same Communion, even though they've left the Episcopal Church.
Bane said that after his retirement, he tried to remain active in Episcopal ministry but was shunned by the denomination.
Bane said he was more conservative than many members of the Southern Virginia diocese. In 2003, he voted against Robinson's ordination; other clergy and parishioners representing the diocese voted unanimously for ordination.
Asked why he didn't join the Anglican conservatives earlier, Bane said he'd hoped to remain a traditional voice within the Episcopal Church.
He said the Anglican Church "is probably where I should have been earlier."
Bane said he is an assistant bishop, serving Bishop Robert Duncan, an Anglican in Pittsburgh. He hopes to help new Anglican Church congregations on the East Coast. He will continue to live in Elizabeth City, N.C., where he moved after leaving the Southern Virginia diocese.
"I'm not angry or bitter, I'm very happy to be where I am," he said.
Steven G. Vegh, (757) 446-2417, steven.vegh@pilotonline.com
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Clarification
Here is what the Constitution and Canons say about the resignation of a bishop: "If any Bishop of this Church not subject to the provisions of Canon IV.8 shall declare, in writing, to the Presiding Bishop a renunciation of the ordained Ministry of this Church, and a desire to be removed therefrom, it shall be the duty of the Presiding Bishop to record the declaration and request so made."
In no cases has such a letter been sent.
Ms Schori has deposed 11 bishops, all in violation of canons
Ms Schori has deposed 11 bishops thus far. In the prior 200 hundred history of the denomination there had only been 5 previously. Actually, what she is now doing is accepting their "resignations." But an Episcopal bishop can't simply say "I quit." The constitution and canons are quite clear. There must be a letter sent from the bishop to the presiding bishop, stating .
But in no cases has such a letter been sent. She has simply taken press releases or the like and said, "I accept your resignation." The reason being is that she has attempted to depose the bishops and has not been able to obtain sufficient votes. (She still "declared" them deposed.) Deposition requires a trial. Declaring them to be resigned does not.
The liberals are always talking about justice. Flaunting canon law is not justice.
DNA
Being "gay" has nothing to do with heredity. It is a choice of behavior. The world's top DNA geneticists alongs with the APA (pyschiatry and psychology) have concluded resolutely, that there is not one, not one, single strand of DNA, nor smaller unit of DNA which produces or causes homosexuality. Hence, Dr. Francis Collins (look it up), the man who mapped the entire human genome said, "there is no gay gene in the human body." Being homosexual is a behavior, which one gets from societal or cultural norms and values, not hereditary.
Characteristics such as wearing dresses, curling one's hair, make-up, etc are all taught human cultural values. If a person has two mommies (truly only one mommy and one friend), then they 'perceive' that their lifestyle is acceptable and a "choice."
Make no mistake, no one is born gay. That is scientific fact!
Oops, there goes your argument
Evidence “does in fact support the conclusion that heritable factors play a role in male homosexuality… sexual orientation is genetically influenced but not hardwired by DNA, and that whatever genes are involved represent predispositions, not predeterminations.”
- Dr. Francis S. Collins
His studies conclude conditioning and environment also affect behavior, so it is possible for someone to be conditioned into concealing or surpressing their natural inclinations in order to avoid negative outcomes (like getting bullied by gash bashers). However, nice use of reference materials to invalidate your own point! Maybe you should read the research yourself?
To Wspeid
I have indeed studied this in Biology in my undergrad studies. The psychological studies are as follows:
"Estimates of heritability are based upon careful analyses of studies conducted with identical twins. Such studies are important and lead to the conclusion that heredity is important in many of these traits. It is important however, to note that even in such studies with identical twins, that heritability is not to be confused as inevitability."~A. Dean Byrd, Ph.D, MBA, MPH
Collins agrees, as you noted, the "presupposition" does not prefetermine if someone is gay or not, it IS a behavorial choice which have factors that have been noted in 20% of identical twins, who are gay. That is why Dr. Collins stated,"whatever genes are involved" meaning character/behavorial genetics, not identity. Good job in seeking the article.
Oh Woofcop
even if it is true that gays are born that way and being gay is not a choice, being sexually active is a choice and is wrong for unmarried persons of any sexual orientation. And, yes, marriage is between a man and a woman. Have your life partners but they are a choice!
Doing What's Right
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)
Stand up for the Truth
Good for him for standing up for truth. The Bible is clear that homosexuality is a choice, a sin. No one is born gay.
I Hope I'm Neutral
He who is without sin throw the first stone.
I know GOD is more forgiving than some who think they are god.
God Bless, Bishop David
I don't know if you'll read this, David, but God Bless you. Just because some shunned you doesn't mean that everyone did.
You and Alice will be in our prayers, and I wish you great joy in serving God in whatever way you can.
Bill and "Your Rebecca".
Galatians 3:1-5
This is sad to hear the feuding within the church yet this is exactly what occurred in the Church of Galatia when man tried to add LAW as a condition to salvation. Ceremonies, procedures and other man made rituals become a hindrance to truly serving God and focusing on the true message of salvation. Man twists the message to serve his own purposes and creates confusion and conflict. Hopefully this church can get back to scripture and confront this problem head on and pray for God to heal this division.
The Episcopal Church as a
The Episcopal Church as a whole again seeks to stiffle any dissent from within. Why does a denomination that so blatantly denies the authority of scripture insist on lording its authority over its adherents?
Bishop Bane is....
a wonderful man and will ALWAYS hold a very special place in the my heart and that of my family members. He is a man who stands for integrity, character and morality and is someone whom people respect and look up to. I, personally, left the Episcopal Church as well because they ar way too focused on politics instead of the real reason you are there... to learn about and worship the Lord. Bishop Bane, please know we love you and care for you... you are a very special man. Thank you for all you have done for so many. God Bless You!