September 7, 2006, 6:24 PM

Dear Bishop Iker,

I was somewhat surprised to read the following paragraph in your letter to us included in Forward In Mission - Pentecost II 2006:

"As your bishop, I renew my ordination vows to guard and defend the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church as a faithful bishop of the Anglican Communion, standing in full compliance with the Windsor Report."

I was surprised because I did not remember any reference to the Anglican Communion in the Rite for the Ordination of a Bishop and did not think that the Windsor Report, published recently, was in existence when you were ordained. So I looked in my copy of The Book of Common Prayer (September 1979). Here is what I found on page 513, Ordination: Bishop:

"When the reading of the testimonials is ended, the Presiding Bishop requires the following promise from the Bishop-elect"

"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, I, N.N., chosen Bishop of the Church in N., solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Church." (emphasis added)

"The Bishop-elect then signs the above Declaration in the sight of all present. The witnesses add their signatures."

I am sure, sir, that you would not intentionally mislead any of your flock and I apologize in advance for presuming to quote from The Book of Common Prayer to a bishop, but I truly cannot reconcile your description of your ordination vows with what I read in the prayer book. Perhaps there was a different BCP when you were ordained. Perhaps the "promise" was different in your case. If so, please ask your secretary to forward me a copy by e-mail or Fax to 817-569-9250. I would be much relieved. Perhaps there is some other explanation which I would appreciate hearing.

Faithfully yours,

Merritt C. Farren

From: Bishop Jack Iker
Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2006 12:29:22 -0500
To: Merritt C. Farren
Subject: Re: Ordination Vows

Dear Merritt,

Spare me your sarcasm. If you want additional information, just ask for it.

The Preamble of the Constitution of ECUSA states that our identity as a church "is a constituent member of the Anglican Communion... in communion with the See of Canterbury, upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order..."

At ordination as a deacon and again as a priest, the ordinand is asked, "Will you be loyal to the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this Church has received them?" At the consecration of a bishop, the ordinand is asked, "Will you guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church?" That means the whole, catholic church, not just ECUSA.

The Windsor Report deals with ECUSA's violations of this faith, unity, and discipline.

The danger you are in is to make an idol out of ECUSA, even when it is in error,

+JLI