Members of Episcopal Forum of South Carolina were concerned when the Rev. Mark Lawrence was elected bishop to replace the retiring Ed Salmon. When Lionel Deimel, then president of Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh wrote an essay advocating the rejection of Lawrence on the basis of an essay Lawrence had published and the answers he had given the South Carolina standing committee, Via Media USA decided to send the essay, “No Consents: A Crucial Test for The Episcopal Church,” to the people who would decide if Lawrence would become an Episcopal bishop.

“No Consents: A Crucial Test for The Episcopal Church” can be read here on Deimel’s Web site. The printed version sent to bishops and standing committees can be read here. The letter sent to bishops with jurisdiction can be read here, and the letter sent to standing committees can be read here.

Mark Lawrence did not receive the necessary consents to his consecration. Eventually, however, after providing more forthright answers to questions that had been raised about his intentions, Lawrence was re-elected by the Diocese of South Carolina and received sufficient consents to be consecrated.