Episcopal bishop’s consecration set for Catholic church is called off by the bishop-elect, who will seek another location

To much to-do about it, says the bishop-elect.

The Roman Catholic bishop announces, with “great sadness”:

It is with great sadness that I have received a letter from Bishop-Elect Susan Haynes stating that, due to the controversy of the proposed use of St. Bede Catholic Church for her consecration as the bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, she has decided to find another location for the ceremony to take place.

In granting permission for this ordination to be held at St. Bede, we were welcoming, as the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council encouraged, those who have in common with us “the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit” (Decree on Ecumenism, 3). We were following the example of St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis who enthusiastically engaged in ecumenical outreach and hospitality.

Editorial note: If I can’t match the Catholic bishop’s sadness in this matter, I still find a respect for the Episcopal bishop-elect, whom I find typical of Episcopals, based on decades of sporadic contacts with them. If they are unduly easy-going in matters of doctrine and discipline, they are also, I have found, easy to deal with. So God bless the bishop-elect and may she find some other venue for her consecration.

via Bishop Knestout Statement Following the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia’s Decision to Change Consecration Location