To the Clergy and People of the Diocese of El Camino Real

Notice of Deposition

 

On July 12, 2005, a Sentence of Deposition was pronounced on Roberto Hernandez, formerly rector of Iglesia Episcopal Nuestra Sra. de Guadalupe, San Jose. (As required by the Canons, notice of this Deposition was sent to Mr. Hernandez, to all clergy and vestries of the Diocese of El Camino Real, and to the Secretary of Diocesan Convention; it was also sent to the Presiding Bishop, the Recorder of Ordinations, the Church Deployment Office, the Secretary of the House of Bishops, and all Bishops of the Episcopal Church.)

 

Once a Sentence of Deposition is pronounced upon a priest, that priest is released from the obligations of the office of priest and is also deprived of the right to exercise the gifts and spiritual authority conferred in ordination.

 

The Sentence of Deposition was pronounced by the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, acting on behalf of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real, at the suggestion of the Rt. Rev. Clay Matthews and Chancellor for the National Church, Mr. David Beers.  (When a Standing Committee serves as the Ecclesiastical Authority, Sentence of Deposition must be pronounced by the sitting bishop of an adjoining diocese.) 

 

An investigation into this matter was initiated by the Standing Committee in July 2004. Bishop Bruno issued two Temporary Inhibitions on Mr. Hernandez while the investigation was being conducted by the Church Attorney.  Mr. Hernandez chose not to have an attorney represent him.  The investigation was hampered by a lack of communication between Mr. Hernandez and the Church Attorney, the Standing Committee, and the Diocesan Office: Both before and since the issuance of the Temporary Inhibitions Mr. Hernandez refused to provide his current contact information or any method for the Diocese to communicate directly with him.

 

The Church Attorney presented his report to the Standing Committee in December 2004.  After reviewing the results of his investigation, the Standing Committee concluded that Mr. Hernandez "has abandoned the communion of this Church..."  (Title IV, Canon 10, Sec. 1). 

 

No priest has the option of refusing to honor his or her ordination vows.  To persistently refuse to be in communication with one's Bishop/Ecclesiastical Authority is a refusal to honor an essential part of those ordination vows. 

 

The duty of all Christians, lay and clergy, is "to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray and give for the spread of the kingdom of God" (Catechism, BCP p. 856).  In addition to working, praying, and giving for the spread of the kingdom of God, a priest must also remain in communion with his or her Bishop/Ecclesiastical Authority, honoring the promise made at ordination in response to the bishop's question:  "Will you, in accordance with the canons of this Church, obey your bishop and other ministers who may have authority over you and your work?" (Ordination of a Priest, BCP p. 526).

 

Members of the Standing Committee deeply regret the necessity of issuing this Sentence of Deposition and pray for healing for all involved or affected by this action.