Former Albany Episcopal Bishop Reflects on his Exodus from TEC into the ACNA Diocese of the Living Word

Aug 22, 2023 by Jill

by David Virtue, VOL:

An exclusive interview with the former Episcopal Bishop of Albany, The Rt. Rev. William Love.

VOL: Bishop, it is just over two years since you stood down as the Episcopal Bishop of Albany and began serving as the Assistant Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Living Word. Can you tell us what it was first like facing your accusers, then agreeing to leave and where you are today?

LOVE: First of all, thank you David for reaching out to me. In some ways it seems like only yesterday that I stepped down as Bishop of Albany. In other ways it seems like an eternity. In response to your question about facing my accusers, that was one of the frustrations of the whole ordeal. Apart from the institution of The Episcopal Church, I don’t know who my “accusers” were. Shortly after I released my Pastoral Letter and Pastoral Directive to the Clergy and People of the Diocese of Albany in November 2018, I was informed by the Presiding Bishop’s Office that individuals from within as well as outside the Diocese had contacted the Presiding Bishop complaining about the actions I had taken, but I was never told who those individuals were. As far as the legal case that was presented, it simply stated The Episcopal Church — vs — The Rt. Rev. William Love. When I asked who it was that was bringing charges against me, I was told that my issuance of the Pastoral Directive prohibiting the clergy of the Diocese from officiating at same-sex marriages was in violation of General Convention Resolution B012, and justification enough for bringing charges against me, whether anyone complained or not.

Once the guilty verdict came down from the Hearing Panel, I sensed the Lord saying, OK Bill, now you can leave. Prior to that, each time I prayed about leaving The Episcopal Church due to its continuing drift further and further away from Christ and the Truth of the Gospel, particularly in regard to marriage and human sexuality, I always sensed the Lord saying, “stay where you are and keep sharing the message I have given you to proclaim.”

While it was a tremendous honor and privilege to serve the clergy and people, in the Diocese of Albany, all of whom I still deeply love and care for, it was a huge burden serving within the “institution” of The Episcopal Church. I am so thankful that the Lord has released me from TEC, and opened the door for me to continue serving Him and His Church in the Anglican Church of North America. It is truly a breath of fresh air.

I must add, I am eternally grateful to Archbishop Foley Beach — for his godly leadership; his willingness to receive me into ACNA as a bishop; his friendship and for the love and pastoral concern that he and his wife Allison have shown Karen and me these past few years .I am equally thankful to Bishop Julian and Brenda Dobbs — for their trust in inviting Karen and me to serve alongside them; for their friendship and for the support and encouragement they continually offer us. In essence, Karen and me feel like we are in a very good place.

Read here