The latest on Bishop MacBurney

Inhibition Against Bishop MacBurney Lifted Temporarily
Posted on: April 14, 2008 - The Living Church

The inhibition against the Rt. Rev. Edward H. MacBurney, retired Bishop of Quincy, has been temporarily lifted following an announcement on April 14 from the canon to the Presiding Bishop.

“In light of the personal tragedy that Bishop and Mrs. MacBurney are facing, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori wishes to offer the bishop the opportunity to function liturgically in any services for his son if he desires to do so,” said the Rev. Canon Charles Robertson in an e-mail message.

A disciplinary “Review Committee” recently issued a presentment, or ecclesiastical indictment, of Bishop MacBurney, and on April 2 Bishop Jefferts Schori prohibited Bishop MacBurney from sacramental ministry pending his trial. The 80-year-old bishop is accused of performing a service of confirmation in June 2007 at an Anglican church in San Diego. In 2006, the congregation of Holy Trinity voted overwhelmingly to leave The Episcopal Church. It is now affiliated with the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone. Bishop James R. Mathes of San Diego filed the initial complaint against Bishop MacBurney.

Bishop MacBurney’s adopted son, Page Grubb, died of cancer April 4. Bishop MacBurney married Mr. Grubb’s mother, Anne, who had been widowed when her three children were still young. A memorial wake service for Mr. Grubb is scheduled at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Calamus, Iowa, on April 18 with the funeral the following day at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church in Long Grove.

Bishop MacBurney said the Presiding Bishop telephoned him Sunday night to inform him of her decision, and to apologize for the timing of the inhibition.

Please continue to pray for The Bishop, Anne, and for the Episcopal Church at large