The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is saddened to learn the Presiding Bishop and her chancellor will continue to press for the deposition of our Diocesan Bishop, Robert W. Duncan, Jr. for the Abandonment of Communion at the September 2008 House of Bishops Meeting. Although we recognize the authority of the Episcopal Church to discipline and remove its ministers for violations of its canons, we believe Canon IV.9, Sec.1 has been misapplied and Canon IV.9, Sec.2 has been misinterpreted in this instance.
Should our Diocesan Bishop be validly deposed pursuant to the requirements set forth in the canons, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is prepared to exercise its role as the Ecclesiastical Authority of this diocese.
Time to join the Southern Cone.
Dale Rye: how can you possibly support Tec in the face of these actions and deposings, unparalleled since the Reformation?
“Should our Diocesan Bishop be validly deposed pursuant to the requirements set forth in the canons, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is prepared to exercise its role as the Ecclesiastical Authority of this diocese.”
Hmmm, I see the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Pittsburgh being prepared to exercise its role as the Ecclesiastical authority of the diocese as recognized by the TEC canons. Me thinks they are getting the jump on TEC…..don’t intend to have her declare them out – appoint new – hold a bogus convention – and put her reptile in bishop’s chair…..imagine they are taking every precaution. Just perhaps The Duncan (who God appointed) should be legally deposed (by the canons), they are ready…..I sure hope I’m reading this right…..then they can take the diocese to the Southern Cone……of which he might already have been accepted as a Bishop in Good Standing of the Southern Cone……
I predict less than 12 hours between TEC deposition and Southern Cone reception as a bishop.
[size=1][color=red][url=http://resurrectioncommunitypersonal.blogspot.com/]The Rabbit[/url][/color][color=gray].[/color][/size]
#3 are they prepared to leave TEC? I have my doubts. They know that she will come after them. why they don’t act know?
Excellent move, Dioc. of Pittsburg Standing Committee!!!
While I think a case could be made under the Chambers section of the Canon – participating in the consecration of bishops – I have not seen Bishops Allison or Dickson prosecuted for their participation in the initial consecrations for the AMiA, and think that the presentation by the review comittee which simply restated the objections of the Righter – Lewis cabal was inadequate to prove abandonment.
You know, I would take 815’s protestations of “unique polity” more seriously if they followed that “unique polity.” The deposition of +Schofield did not meet the required vote, but met the same vote that similar depositions met. The deposition of +Cox was more troubling because significantly more of the canons were ignored. This deposition of +Duncan is also troubling because he has written to the PB and stated his objections to the Abandonment of Communion charge and stated that he has not abandoned the communion. But the worst of all has to be the “firing” of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of San Joaquin and the “special” (as in “short bus”) convention that was unconstitutionally called and held and did not have the necessary quorum to conduct business. I have no idea what canons were used there.
The role of a bishop is to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church. They are in that order for a reason. Without a common faith, unity breaks down and without unity, the only discipline left is power. We see that in 815’s “interpretation” of the canons.
YBIC,
Phil Snyder
[blockquote]They know that she will come after them. why they don’t act know?[sic][/blockquote]
There needs to be a second vote of the Diocesan Convention before Pittsburgh can leave TEC. The Standing Committee has no authority to do this on its own. Of course, I can imagine no act that could more effectively guarantee the outcome of this vote than a deposition of Bob Duncan.
Ouch!
That, my friends, is Pittsburghese for, “Just try it, honey.”
If Schori and Company want to guarantee the death of TEC, the deposition of +Robert Duncan will do it, because Pittsburgh WILL leave, and other dioceses will follow!