Citing Title III, Canon 12, Section 7 of the Canons, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has accepted the voluntary renunciation of Keith Ackerman in documents dated October 7.
“I have accepted the renunciation of the Ordained Ministry of this Church, made in writing to me in July 2009 by The Right Rev. Keith L. Ackerman, Bishop of Quincy, Resigned who is, therefore, removed from the Ordained Ministry of this Church and released from the obligations of all Ministerial offices, and is deprived of the right to exercise the gifts and spiritual authority as a Minister of God”s Word and Sacraments conferred on him in Ordinations. “
The order also noted, “This action is taken for causes that do not affect his moral character.”
Full text is listed below
Ackerman was notified by mail and email on Friday, October 16
In an October 7 letter, the Presiding Bishop wrote to Ackerman: “Thank you for your follow up note regarding your plans to function as a bishop in the Diocese of Bolivia in the Province of the Southern Cone. As you know, there is no provision for transferring a bishop to another Province. I am therefore releasing you from the obligations of ordained ministry in this Church.”
The Rev. Dr. Charles Robertson, canon to the Presiding Bishop, explained the action. “The Presiding Bishop has accepted the voluntarily renunciation as a result of his informing her that he is working for the Diocese of Bolivia in the Province of the Southern Cone. Research has indicated that there are no provisions for this type of arrangement.”
This action was taken with the consent of the Presiding Bishop”s Council of Advice. Signing the document were Bishop Mark Beckwith of the Diocese of Newark and Bishop Herbert Donovan, the Presiding Bishop”s Deputy for Anglican Relations.
The renunciation takes effect immediately.
The full text:
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October 7, 2009
To: The Secretary of the House of Bishops
The Secretary of the General Convention
The Bishops of the Episcopal Church
The Secretary of Convention of the Diocese of Quincy
The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Quincy
The Recorder of Ordinations
The Church Pension Fund
The Church Deployment Board
Renunciation of Ordained Ministry
And Declaration of Removal and Release
In accordance with Title III, Canon 12, Section 7 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church, and with the advice and consent of the Advisory Council to the Presiding Bishop, I have accepted the renunciation of the Ordained Ministry of this Church, made in writing to me in July 2009 by
The Right Rev. Keith L. Ackerman
Bishop of Quincy, Resigned
who is, therefore, removed from the Ordained Ministry of this Church and released from the obligations of all Ministerial offices, and is deprived of the right to exercise the gifts and spiritual authority as a Minister of God”s Word and Sacraments conferred on him in Ordinations.
This action is taken for causes that do not affect his moral character.
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