The Rt. Rev. Joe Morris Doss, Bishop of New Jersey, resigned at the opening of his diocese's convention March 12 in Somerset. The resignation, officially Sept. 30, 2001, will begin with a "sabbatical leave of absence" in June after which time he will not have ecclesiastical authority.

Terms of the agreement, reached with the standing committee and diocesan council, are included in a $1.27 million package. Bishop Doss will receive full salary and extensive benefits until his official resignation. In addition, according to a report in the Trenton Times, he will receive $200,000 for the education of his two children, a $150,000 mortgage payout on the home he must sell, and $200,000 in pension payments for six years. The diocese has not said how it plans to pay these expenses. Diocesan revenue for 1998 amounted to $1.5 million.

In his address to the convention, Bishop Doss said he is sorry he will not "be the one called to lead the Diocese of New Jersey into the new millennium."

He spoke of his first impressions of New Jersey, its majestic churches and the various missions and ministries in which he saw vitality, growth, refreshment, life and praise.

Referring to his tenure as a call to the diocese "to the transforming need for healing, reconciliation and reform," he said that his presence acted as a "lightning rod which has drawn fire to light up the landscape exposed to it."

Bishop Doss listed the reasons upon which he did not base his decision; not on a sense that attempting the transformation of the diocese is futile - saying he knows the diocese is ready and able to accomplish the work; not on fear of presentment or other legal proceedings; not by financial concerns - of the diocese or of himself personally; not because of any shame or guilt over his mistakes and sins - though he did take the opportunity to publicly apologize "to anyone whom I inadvertently or otherwise disrespect or hurt"; not upon loss of approval, support or encouragement from staff, advisors, friends or colleagues; not because of his family or family concerns - and he thanked his wife, Susan, and their children, Katherine and Andrew, for their support, strength and compassion.

He challenged the diocese directly to look beyond the current crisis and to focus its energy on healing of long-existing divisions, divisions which have been identified in three separate studies, such as clericalism, a culture of secrecy, ingrown diocesan parochialism, conflict avoidance, power groups, favoritism [TLC, March 28] ... "this is not my list, these are things you have identified ..." he said.

"The nature of Christian experience is that grace-filled experiences do not come cheaply whether they are joyful or tragic. Being your bishop has not been easy," Bishop Doss said. He said the good moments were "spiritually nourishing and rewarding," the tough times he called "instructive and humbling." Before he left, Bishop Doss said he "would rather have had this experience than anything I have ever done."

Bishop Doss and his family left the convention immediately after his address.

The Rt. Rev. Catherine Roskam, Bishop Suffragan of New York, preached at the convention Eucharist. Speaking directly of Bishop Doss's resignation, Bishop Roskam talked of "repercussions for the future that we cannot now imagine." She spoke of problems yet to be solved and the manner in which the diocese must deal with them. "... the work of reconciliation precedes healing. Repentance precedes reconciliation." She encouraged the convention to investigate the depth of their differences. Then, she said, healing can begin.

Peter Hausman, treasurer of the diocese, said, "I'm shell shocked. It is clear that the events of this convention are unique and momentous in the life of this diocese ... many share my feelings." Mr. Hausman said he expects the monies withheld by parishes will come to the diocese, but not in the next few months.

The Rt. Rev. F. Clayton Matthews, executive director for the Office of Pastoral Development, likened the situation to a broken clay pot. "We need to pick up the pieces and see what we can make of it," he said. "The pieces are here. It is up to us. Are we going to sweep them aside, or are we going to go through the demanding task of picking up the pieces? ..."

Susan Sica contributed to this article.