A Message from the President of the Standing Committee

On Tuesday, March 11, 2008 I received a phone call from the Very Reverend Peter Eaton indicating that after prayerful consideration he has decided to withdraw his name as a nominee for XIV Bishop of Maryland. Quoting in part from his subsequent letter:

Kate and I realise that my withdrawal may cause disappointment to some. It is of crucial importance that I emphasize that there is no single matter at issue. This has been a hard decision, but, we believe, the right one. As you know, we have been guided by the question, “Where is Love leading us.” We have come to see that Love is calling us to remain, for the time being, in our current ministries. This seems to me to be evidence that this discernment process is working as it should. For this, everyone involved in this discernment is to be commended.

I expressed to Peter the heartfelt appreciation of the people of Maryland for his faithful participation in our discernment process and I have extended to both Peter and Kate our best wishes and hopes for God’s continued blessings upon their present and future ministries.

Faithfully,

The Rev. Scott P. Bellows, President
The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Maryland