The Diocese of Fond du Lac

BISHOP: THE RT. REV. RUSSELL E. JACOBUS, D.D. E-MAIL: RJacobus@DioFDL.org EPISCOPAL PHONE: (920) 830-8866 FAX: (920) 830-8761

PASTORAL LETTER
to be read in every congregation of the Diocese on Sunday, November 6, 2011
November 2, 2011 Beloved in the Diocese of Fond du Lac, The recent Diocesan Convention was well restrained when the result of the vote to Junction with the Diocese of Eau Claire was announced. I had asked for that because I was aware people were divided over this issue. The enthusiasm of some can lead to hurt for others. I ask you to have that same restraint regarding this Pastoral Letter. According to Article V, Section 1 of the Constitution of The Episcopal Church, when two dioceses want to either divide or junction, it needs the approval of the Bishop of each Diocese. For the following reasons I am not giving my approval to the junctioning of Fond du Lac and Eau Claire. For complete transparency on this issue, my intent was to publish the results in both the clergy and lay order ballots. Since the results were so close in both orders, it was suggested that I have members of the Standing Committee count the ballots and confirm the results. In the Clergy Order there were 32 votes in favor of junctioning and 28 votes against. These results were affirmed by two clergy members of the Standing Committee who had each voted on different sides. In the Lay Order, I was informed at the Convention the vote was 53 yes and 51 no. However, in the recount of the ballots by the members of the Standing Committee, the votes were 53 no and 51 yes. I have made the decision that it would be imprudent to try to bring the two dioceses together at this time with this uncertainty and division, and have determined to withhold my approval of the junctioning. It is my intent to meet with our Planning for the Future Task Force to see how we can best move forward as the Diocese of Fond du Lac, and also work with the leadership of the Diocese of Eau Claire to see how the groundwork that has been laid toward working together may continue. I am aware that this decision will bring joy to some and sadness to others. I pray that we may continue to work together revitalizing our Diocese, continue to develop, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a good working relationship with Eau Claire, and keep the vision of junctioning alive as we move forward in the mission and ministry of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Christ Jesus,

The Rt. Rev. Russell E. Jacobus VII Bishop of Fond du Lac

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