Episcopal Press and News
RHODE ISLAND: Bishop deposes priest who professed to be a Muslim
Episcopal News Service. April 1, 2009 [040109-03]
ENS Staff
Diocese of Rhode Island Bishop Geralyn Wolf on April 1 deposed Ann Holmes Redding as a priest in the Episcopal Church.
Redding lives in the Seattle, Washington-based Diocese of Olympia, but was canonically (according to church law) resident in Rhode Island and under Wolf's authority.
The deposition came after a nearly 21-month-long process that began after the diocese learned that Redding had made a public profession, known as the Shahadah, of adherence to the Muslim faith. Wolf met with Redding and then required her to spend a year discerning her faith commitment.
According to a diocesan news release, the diocesan standing committee determined at the end of that year that Redding had abandoned the communion of the Episcopal Church, within the meaning of the canons of the church (Title IV.10), by her formal admission into a religious body not in communion with the Episcopal Church. Wolf agreed and inhibited Redding from exercising the gifts and spiritual authority conferred on her by ordination, and from public ministry.
The inhibition continued until March 31 during which time Redding had the opportunity to withdraw, or issue a notice of intention to withdraw, from the Muslim faith. Redding also had the opportunity to renounce her orders, but she did neither and Wolf was canonically required to consider deposing her.
The news release said that Wolf found Redding to be "a woman of utmost integrity and their conversations over the past two years have been open, honest and respectful."
"However," the release continued, "Bishop Wolf believes that a priest of the church cannot be both a Christian and a Muslim." Consequently, she deposed Redding.
Redding told the Seattle Times newspaper that she was "sad at the loss of this cherished honor of having served as a priest."
She told the Times that she understands that most people believe that a person cannot be a Christian and a Muslim. "I just don't agree," she said.