‘I am beside myself with grief’

Posted on April 9, 2008 
Filed under News

Bishop Keith L Ackerman, Bishop of QuincyBishop Keith L Ackerman, Bishop of Quincy in western Illinois, responds to the inhibition, by Katherine Jefferts Schori, of his 80 year old retired predecessor, Bishop Edward MacBurney.

“I am beside myself with grief over this unnecessary action taken against my predecessor especially at a time when he is mourning the death of his son this past Friday. I am particularly saddened that with the exception of the Bishop who initiated this action those involved in determining this course have never spoken with Bishop MacBurney directly.

In the midst of this difficult time for Bishop MacBurney and his family I am really much more concerned about the implications of St Matthew 18:15-17 as it relates to how reconciliation is pursued than I am with Title IV, Canon 1, Section 6 as it relates to disciplining my dear brother.

In the meantime we are ministering to the needs of the MacBurney family.

Keith L Ackerman, SSC
Bishop of Quincy
President, Forward in Faith North America.”

letter of inhibition

See the letter of inhibition (PDF) sent to Bishop MacBurney, and our earlier story on the moves against him. See also Bishop Ackerman’s comments on his diocesan website.

(Photo of Bishop Ackerman: Diocese of Quincy. PDF of inhibition letter: Forward in Faith.)