September 8, 2004

Four United States Episcopal bishops will have the opportunity to engage in discussion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, next week on a range of issues related to the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.

The meeting was first discussed among the group in April as an opportunity for two newer bishops and two established bishops to meet with the Archbishop of Canterbury and was subsequently scheduled in June.

Recent media reports have erroneously stated that Bishops Thomas Shaw of Massachusetts, Robert O'Neill of Colorado, Mark Hollingsworth Jr. of Ohio and Don Johnson of West Tennessee were already in London. One report also erroneously named retired Bishop Clark Grew of Ohio as part of the group.

"The bishops will be meeting as a group to hear each others' perspectives and to discuss what is happening in their respective dioceses on issues facing the church today," said Bishop Shaw.

"The bishops themselves have taken differing views on varying issues and believe that such a meeting is an important opportunity for mutually supportive and inclusive dialogue, which is the hallmark of the Episcopal Church and the strength of the Anglican Communion," added Bishop Hollingsworth.

The bishops are committed to ministering to their congregations, some members of which inevitably hold differing points of view on issues facing the church. The London meeting is an opportunity to reflect on the full spectrum of opinions facing local dioceses in the United States.

Episcopal News Service