Both TitusOneNine and Episcopal Cafe (the leading Episcopal blogs on the right and left, respectively) have both posted an interesting letter from Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to fellow bishops about the expensive and acrimonious property battles between the church and breakaway conservatives.

Jefferts Schori says the two non-negotiables in these lawsuits are not only a “reasonable and fair financial arrangement,” but also no settlements should “encourage religious bodies who seek to replace The Episcopal Church.”

The latter means, Jefferts Schori says, that any property settlements must include a clause that “forbids, for a period of at least five years, the presence of bishops on the property … unless they are invited by the diocesan bishop for purposes which do not subvert mission and ministry in the name of this Church.” That includes so-called border-crossing Anglican bishops, who have set up networks for breakaway conservatives, according to Jefferts Schori. (cf. CANA, etc.)

Finally, the presiding bishop doesn’t rule out future relations with conservative secessionists, but says it can only happen “if and when they engage a positive missional stance that doesn’t seek to replace The Episcopal Church.”

See the whole letter here.