FORT WORTH TO INVESTIGATE CHARGES AGAINST FR. SAM EDWARDS
The Bishop of Fort Worth, The Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker, confirmed today that
he has called for a special meeting of the Diocesan Standing Committee for
Monday, August 13th, in order to consider certain canonical charges that
have surfaced in the Diocese of Washington against The Rev. Samuel L.
Edwards. Fr. Edwards is the Rector of Christ Church, St. JohnÕs Parish,
Accokeek, Maryland, but remains a member of the clergy of the Diocese of
Fort Worth.

One of the complaints was brought to Bishop Iker from The Rt. Rev. Jane
Holmes Dixon, acting as Bishop of Washington. She accuses Fr. Edwards of
performing services in the Diocese without a license to officiate. Other
charges, which have not yet been forwarded to Fort Worth by Bishop Dixon,
were filed by a number of priests resident in the Washington Diocese,
accusing Fr. Edwards with violations of the doctrine and discipline of the
Episcopal Church.

Bishop Iker has pledged that a full and impartial investigation will be
conducted of all charges against Fr. Edwards. If the facts warrant it, the
case will be placed before the Ecclesiastical Court of the Episcopal Diocese
of Fort Worth for a trial.

The Bishop re-iterated that Fr. Edwards is a priest in good standing in his
Diocese and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Press Release from the Diocese of Fort Worth
July 19, 2001