Statement from Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi
There has been some social media chatter about P73 which I ruled out of order at our June 22 Annual Conference. I referred the petition to the Judicial Council in order to determine if my ruling was consistent with the Book of Discipline. Read about the referral of P73 to the Judicial Council.
The Judicial Council may, as it often does, rule that they do not have jurisdiction to make a decision about whether or not my ruling was consistent with the Book of Discipline or not. In this instance, a ruling regarding their jurisdiction is independent of whether or not my ruling was actually consistent with the Book of Discipline.
Frequently, the JC says they do not have jurisdiction over the matter but then go on to provide some guidance as to whether or not it seems to be consistent with the Book of Discipline.
As we await this ruling, let me be clear: no person, group of people or organization other than the Judicial Council and in some cases the Council/College of Bishops has the authority to provide direction to any member of an Episcopal Area to which I have been assigned that is inconsistent with the direction I have already provided. It is inconsistent with the Book of Discipline for any person, group of people or organization other than the Judicial Council or College of Bishops to provide direction to anyone even if I have acted in a way that is inconsistent with the Book of Discipline. Therefore, if anyone other than the Judicial Council or Council/College of Bishops asks or suggests that any person, group of people or committee defy my ruling, they are undermining my ministry and therefore violating the Book of Discipline.
I am not a perfect bishop. There are no perfect bishops. We will from time to time make mistakes. The Book of Discipline outlines a process for handling the mistakes of a bishop and it must be followed. I have consistently said that I will follow the Book of Discipline and will hold you accountable to do the same. This is our covenant to one another.
I await the ruling of the Judicial Council and will, as is my covenant, submit to their authority. I urge all of you to remain committed to your covenant and submit to my authority as your bishop and to that of the Judicial Council.