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A statement from the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas

Sept. 18, 2007

On December 19, 2006, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas voted 13-1 not to consent to the election of the Very Rev. Mark Lawrence as Bishop of South Carolina, and we issued a statement setting forth our reasons for not consenting to his election. In that statement, we indicated that we were not satisfied that Mark Lawrence would "conform to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church" and "guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church" as set forth in the ordination service of the Book of Common Prayer, because we had serious concerns about his willingness to remain in the Episcopal Church.  

Before and after that decision, members of the Standing Committee have had conversations with Mark Lawrence about the concerns of the Standing Committee. The Diocese of South Carolina has adhered to the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and has again elected Mark Lawrence as Bishop of their diocese. Mark Lawrence has now clearly stated that it is his intention to remain in the Episcopal Church and has stated that he would heartily make the vows concerning the "doctrine, discipline, and worship" of the Episcopal Church. We wish to thank Dean Lawrence for his willingness to discuss our concerns with him and for his responses to those concerns.

Based on these representations by the Very Rev. Mark Lawrence, the Standing Committe of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas on Sept. 18, 2007, voted 10-2, with one abstention, to consent to his election as Bishop of South Carolina.