A Letter from David Morris Fackler, Presbyter of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, to the Right Rev. Geor.w-Jersey; Vindicating the Catholicity of His Priesthood, in Answer to the Charge Brought Against Him of Schismatical Conduct

A Letter From David Morris Fackler, Presbyter Of The Protestant Episcopal Church In The United States, To The Right Rev. George W. Doane, Bishp Of The Diocese Of New-Jersey; Vindicating The Catholicity Of His Priesthood, In Answer To The Charge Brought Against Him Of Schismatical Conduct — David Morris Fackler. This work, originally published in 1851, presents the author's defense against a presentment by a diocese alleging schismatic teaching and unauthorized ecclesiastical authority. The document argues that the supreme judicial power in the Church resides with the bishop, criticizes a Board of Presbyters as the final judges in trials of ministers, and advocates the restoration of the Apostolic ministry within the Church Catholic. It includes extensive theological and canonical arguments, discussion of Apostleship, Papal and Protestant lines of succession, and reflections on the state of the Church, the role of bishops, and the relationship between episcopal authority and apostolic ministry. The text comprises letters between Fackler and the Bishop of New Jersey, along with appendices detailing related defenses and background on the Apostolic movement.