September 11, 2007 – Today, the Diocesan Council of The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh began formal process that could lead to changes in its diocesan constitution by forwarding resolutions to Pittsburgh’s Diocesan Convention Nov. 2-3. If ultimately passed by Diocesan Convention, those changes will open the door for the diocese to remain within mainstream Anglicanism even as the wider Episcopal Church continues to cut those ties.
“We are praying that the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops makes these votes unnecessary by unequivocally accepting all the requests of the worldwide Anglican Communion when they meet in New Orleans Sept. 20-25,” said the Rev. David Rucker, president of Diocesan Council. “While we continue to pray for the House we must also prepare for the very real possibility they will not respond favorably. Thus, we are beginning the process that will allow our convention to consider this action in the event the Episcopal Church does not turn back,” he added. The release of convention resolutions conforms to Pittsburgh’s internal rules of order that require any proposed resolutions to be made public well in advance of the meeting itself.
To maintain the Episcopal Church’s standing in the worldwide communion, the House of Bishops has until September 30 to take a number of steps. Among the actions requested of the House of Bishops by the leadership of the worldwide communion is an agreement to participate in a specific oversight plan for American Episcopalians who do not accept the liberal direction of the Episcopal Church.
Acting in March 2007, the House of Bishops rejected in advance the creation of this system of oversight for conservatives and hinted that they would not be able to act on the other requests. Actions by The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council in June further signaled the church leadership’s decision to allow no internal solution.
The Episcopal Church has been steadily moving away from biblical Christianity for more than 30 years. Church leaders are on record denying basic Christian truths, especially concerning the uniqueness of atonement and salvation by Jesus Christ and the primacy of Scripture in determining moral and theological teaching. The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, as well as a number of other dioceses, has worked for years to reconcile its differences with The Episcopal Church, or, failing that, arrange for an orderly and charitable parting of ways. Those efforts have been unsuccessful.
To those who keep claiming, “It’s only a small number within TEC who aren’t happy with our direction,” take note: whole blocks of the church are now organizing to walk back toward the Anglican Communion and not follow TEC walk in the opposite direction.
Maryland Brian
Actually MD Brian, it is the representatives of those Dioceses that you see voting to leave the Church, much like it is the representatives of the Church who make TEC appear more liberal than it is.
Actually the votes to leave at least to date have been done on a Parish wide level. Just like with all the major changes (WO and 1979 Prayerbook)- TEC will not allow a free vote of its membership.
Brian from T19,
So, using your logic – it is only the representatives of TEC that are apostates. It was only the representatives of TEC who decided to install Gene Robinson as a bishop, it was only representatives of the church who have chosen to disregard the faith once delivered in favor in favor of heresy, it is only the representatives og the church who embrace the teachings of John Shelby Spong, it is only the representatives of the church who promote and condon the murder of the unborn. Oh thank God Almighty – I thought the church had gone off the deep end. Now that I know it is only the representatives of the church that clears up the whole problem.
Brian, I am sure that Bishop Iker will in the end allow parishes in his diocese a free and fair vote, and if a parish decides to leave his diocese for TEC there will be no suits, no harassment, no name calling, no defrocking but rather best wishes and regret. Can you say the same for 815?
RSB
Brian T19, just a quick corrective to something you said on another thread – you attributed to me a comment comparing gays to cancer cells. That is something I would never *think*, let alone say, and I certainly didn’t appreciate being included as one who had said such a thing. (Elves, please excuse, but I had to say this.)
[i]Sherri, in the future, perhaps you can use the private message feature to write Brian privately? We understand your wanting to issue this clarification publicly, but it does risk taking this thread off-topic. ALL COMMENTERS: Any further discussion of the now closed VGR thread below here will be deleted as soon as we see it. No ifs, ands or buts.[/i]
Mark Harris has an analysis of the proposed constitutional/canonical amendments at http://anglicanfuture.blogspot.com/.
#2, and actual quotes from Schori, Robinson, etc., aren’t to blame for making TEC seem liberal? You’re desperate, Brian…
“While we continue to pray for the House we must also prepare for the very real possibility they will not respond favorably. Thus, we are beginning the process that will allow our convention to consider this action in the event the Episcopal Church does not turn back,†he added. The release of convention resolutions conforms to Pittsburgh’s internal rules of order that require any proposed resolutions to be made public well in advance of the meeting itself.
I like that this is straightforward and out in the open. I hope that openness won’t cost them in the long run. I certainly like the fact that they are preparing for any eventuality, including the most probable one.
I thought I had posted this earlier but do not see it here. Fr. Jake has further comments on the proposed constitutional/canonical changes at http://frjakestopstheworld.blogspot.com/. Note in particular that while the proposed changes remove TEC from the Constitution of the Diocese, a new canon retains the association with TEC. Slick, eh? +Duncan intends to have his cake and eat it too.
Note also that another canonical change will allow dissident congregations anywhere in the country apply for membership in the +Duncan diocese. That way they can avoid going abroad. Another clever move, and one designed to enhance his leadership in the “realignment” (i.e., schmatic) movement.
It is clear that the diocesan leadership intends to leave TEC after the changes become official at second vote, and take as much property (e.g., the cathedral) with them as they can afford to. But there will always be a Diocese of Pittsburgh in TEC, whether it is +Duncan’s or not.
The tragedy we have been watching unfold will continue, and we all shall suffer for it.
How many special conventions a year does Pittsburgh need?
Bob
+Duncan has claimed to have 1 foot out the door for years now. That’s why he has lost so many ACN members.
Note also that another canonical change will allow dissident congregations anywhere in the country apply for membership in the +Duncan diocese. That way they can avoid going abroad. Another clever move, and one designed to enhance his leadership in the “realignment†(i.e., schmatic) movement.
Bob, it is all in how you look at it, isn’t it? To orthodox parishes in revisionist dioceses, this looks like a much-needed offer of a safe haven. Hasn’t Bishop Duncan all along expressed his concern about provisions being made for such parishes? As a member of one, I am glad to hear this. And considering the reservations that many have about, for instance, Nigeria, isn’t it good for there to be an American alternative? I would think even revisionists would be glad of that? It’s “slick†or its pastoral, strictly depending on the side of the fence you’re on. I am thankful that reasserters *have* leaders, particularly ones who try to prepare for the uncertainties ahead – isn’t it wise to be prepared to stay as well as be prepared for the possibility of being unable to do so?
Yes, it goes on. Yes, we will all suffer — because it took all of us to get to this point.