After extensive consultation, and with the consent of the Standing Committee, I am moving the time and place of the 143rd Annual Convention of the Diocese to Saturday, October 4th, 2008, at St. Martin’s Church, Monroeville.
Registration of clerical and lay deputies will be from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. The Convention Eucharist will begin at 8:30 a.m. The business session of Convention will begin immediately following the Eucharist. Lunch will be served at midday. It is anticipated that all matters required to come before the Annual Convention will be complete during the afternoon, with adjournment at the completion of said business.
The date and place of the Annual Convention having been previously set, I am announcing this change under the provisions of Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution of the Diocese. The expressed threat of deposition of the Diocesan Bishop at a September meeting of the House of Bishops is the “sufficient cause.”
The “Read It All” link seems to be having a problem.
Intercessor
Intercessor, I think it’s the whole “pghanglican.org” site! 8-(
Upcoming Conventions:
Pittsburgh: October 4
Quincy: November 7 & 8
Fort Worth: November 14 & 15
As Gandalf cried out on the Bridge of Khazad-dum … well, read it for yourselves; or read it here (where it is item # IV):
http://pontifications.wordpress.com/anglicanism/
Based on what Kendall wrote so far, and from what I have been able to gather, I think this is a smart move on +Duncan’s part.
I note that +Bob Duncan the Lion-Hearted and the diocesan leadership are keeping the original dates of the convention, Nov. 7-8, open for a follow up meeting on Moving Forward after the realignment is presumably approved in October.
I think this bodes well for Pittsburgh. It means that although the diocese fully expects that +Duncan could be deposed, and may well be, that they will still go ahead and proceed with realigning themselves with the Southern Cone.
Well, as +Duncan has said so often and so rightly, “Courage breeds courage.” I find this all heartening, although the need for it is saddening.
I agree with Dr. Tighe above. He refrained from quoting the saying he is alluding to, but I won’t be so polite or reserved. The final words of Gandalf are indeed appropriate for those still in TEC, “Fly, you fools.”
David Handy+
I find it very telling and interesting that even with the threat of deposition from KJS & her House of Bullies, Bishop Duncan and the faithful of Pittsbugh are moving forward and sooner. They know what awaits ahead and it matters not. They are going forward in their faith and convictions despite the bullying by TEC’ totalitarian actions and threats. With Ft. Worth posed to follow in the wake it should be abundantly apparent to Canterbury that things are in an awful state of affairs for TEC. The lawsuits are mounting as are the costs that come with them, and I am still like many, wondering where is thpe money coming from? TEC is shrinking despite the claims of the oppsite from it’s Dictator, and let us not forget that the world is watching all this happening and KJS and her followers actions are damaging Christianity by their unchristian acts, statements, lawsuits, etc… What does the ABofC do about any of it? Nothing…Zip! It is astonishing! He really could at the least condemn in writing her actions and the mockery she and the LGBT activists who now run TEC are making of God’s church. But, I will not hold my breath.
I wonder who could be more venal than Jerry Lamb that would succumb to the calling of KJS to the new Pittsburgh Lawsuit Episcopal Diocese?
Intercessor
Interesting Intercessor! I wonder who is out there that she will appoint at another [i]”Special Convention”[/i] in Pittsburgh?
Intercessor,
Given the politics of the Diocese of Pittsburgh with those who oppose Bp. Duncan, I would not be surprised at all to see one of the leading liberal rectors elected as Bishop (I am thinking of Rev. Harold Lewis) who filed the complaint against Bp Duncan with the Title IV review committee.
seminarian,
We here in San Joaquin thought along the same lines as you have stated above. We thought that either Fr. Keith Axberg who’s church in Fresno, Holy Family, is the headquarters for Remain Episcopal and he himself on their Board, not too mention he being in the news everytime opportunity arose to oppose Bishop Schofield came along, whould have been a candidate. Or Fr. Mark Hall of At. Ann’s Stockton who hosted the illegal convention and now finds himself Canon to the Ordinary to Bishop Lamb and hs church the amke-shift headquarters for their ” remain episcopal diocese”! But, we were wrong…..She appointed +Lamb! And the Episcopals, like the good sheep that they are with KJS, bit it, chewed it, and are now digesting their main entree’!
Go figure!
Jay Geisler, Jim Simons and Scott Quinn (to name but three) have taken on the burden of communal opprobrium at least in part to avoid that eventuality. Whatever the long-term viability of the residual Diocese of Pittsburgh, the special convention is not going to be a simple repeat of the San Joaquin debacle, whatever some may think.
[url=http://catholicandreformed.blogspot.com]Catholic and Reformed[/url]
Jeremy Bonner,
And whom wears the carved stone title of “Debacle” in your point of view Schori/Lamb or +Schofield? It is so easy for those sitting on the sidelines watching the first ones to step out in faith to pave a way forward for others to follow. Since there are no instructions on how to do it right from the very start, you do it as best as you can with God’s guidance help, from the resources you have and any mistakes, or mishaps that come your way, are for others to benefit the learning from. But, I guess, it is easy for many whom were not the first to step to say, [i]”Well we will do it differently!”[/i] So to those I say, [b][i]”You are welcome! I am glad we gave you some sort of a map to follow by being first to step out in faith and stumble a bit along the way.”[/i][/b]
ODC (#12)
Just to be clear, by “debacle” I was referring to the rump convention masterminded by the PB, not the realignment vote. It was because San Joaquin was so united, that liberals dominated those proceedings, even before the questionable (illegal) actions were taken. That’s neither good nor bad, just the way things worked out in San Joaquin. It won’t be the same in Pittsburgh precisely because the dynamics are different.
I never claimed that Pittsburgh would do it better, but I also think one doesn’t need to be self-righteous about being the first. If you now feel blessed at your new freedom then that should be enough.
New occasions, after all, teach new duties.
Jeremy Bonner,
Trust me! It is not self-righteousness! We rejoice everyday that we are out from under TEC even though we have had a lawsuit hurled at us, our bank accounts frozen, we have our Lord, our Bishop, our Clergy, our freedom from an apostate church. Thanks be to God! But, we constantly here things like, [i]”Well, if Bishop Schofield had been this or that or done this or that, etc…”[/i] it becomse tiresome because those are the people who sit in their pews and are Monday morning quarterbacking after the fact IMHO! It is not self-righteousness, it is weariness of what I have described above.
You and all in Pittsbirgh and Ft. Worth are in mine and my diocese prayers. Since we never really know what God has in mind for the future or what He will alllow to happen for our own good and polishing!
Blessings ODC
Here’s the link to the letter on the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s website – I hope this one works…
[url=http://www.pghanglican.org/Conventions/2008%20Pre-Convention%20Letter%20_October_.pdf]Convention Moved[/url]
1) Pittsburgh and Fort Worth are paving their own way, ODC, based on not making the same mistakes that San Joaquin did. Maybe there’s an open garage door now, but there’s hardly any paving having been done by San Joaquin. And let me add that anybody else has just as much right to observe what happened in San Joaquin, and make note that generous mistakes were made. That’s how successes are usually eventually accomplished. Quit being so defensive and taking offense; its not scriptural.
2) Even used illegally, any canonical process for a new bishop in Pittsburgh will not include the election and consecration of a new bishop; it will entail the selection with 815’s “counsel” and then approval of someone already a bishop. There was never any danger of a priest in San Joaquin (or in whatever happens in Pitt or FW) being elected – perhaps down the road at a future electing convention in a couple of years, but not last March. Those in San Joaquin who thought that (on both sides of the issue) allowed their misplaced hopes and dreams and fears trump any understanding they had of Canons.
3) the illegalities began, Jeremy, just to be clear, before any liberal dominated proceedings took place in San Joaquin. Chronologically, it was the double-whammy from both sides against the Standing Committee that broke the dam (the Canons) and made everything even worse, leading to the the un-Canonical Special Convention in March.
What should be happening right now is prayer that any pre-conceived attempt to depose +Duncan in September by an abuse of the Abandonment of Communion canon will be obliterated by the Holy Spirit, and the reception of such Wisdom by those attempting to do so; and second that God’s will is made known to all who are going and staying so they and their families and their congregations are absolutely clear – if the diocese of Pittsburgh, and then Fort Worth do indeed vote to withdraw.
There is no glory in what happened in San Joaquin. EVERYbody blew it, on all sides. Thus, ALL sides for future diocesan withdrawals will have worked hard to sharpen their strategies (and weapons, tragically) to win out (fewer casualties and the land claim). Sharpening of swords, though, does not necessarily mean less blood spilled.
If there is any glory claimed for the Southern Cone Diocese of San Joaquin it would be simply, and without any puffing up, “We did it first.” Period.
Fr. Rob Eaton,
Out of respect for you, the title you bare in Holy Orders as a priest, and for the decision you made to stay, I respectfully disagree with you. The glory we have in the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin is that we are following God and being faithful to His scriptures and are defending the faith and the fact that we are out from under an apostate church. I pray for your glory in the fight from within that you have chosen. The remaining of your post I must also repectfully disagree with you on which is why we are on opposite sides of the street. 🙂 But, I respect you none-the-less!
Blessings
ODC
#14 ODC:
Which accounts are frozen? The Diocesen accounts, the parish accounts or both? Also, are the accounts of the individual parishes which have remained in TEC frozen as well?
#18 Eugene:
Episcopal News Service [url=http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_97607_ENG_HTM.htm]reports[/url] that Merrill Lynch has frozen the financial accounts it manages for the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, California, until the courts decide who owns the assets. This is the latest manifestation of conflict between the Episcopal Church and some of its conservative dioceses and churches that are trying to break away.
Eugene,
Accounts at Merrill Lynch. I am unsure if they are our operating accounts or not. Maybe since Fr. Rob has more knowledge than I he could shed his light on it. And no the Remain Episcopal has not had any of their funds frozen.
Fr. Eaton (#16)
Thanks for the correction (and for using my given name – I only use the whole title in my signature so that I can subsequently find my posts). I’m afraid I simplified the process to make a point, but do you think the rump convention would have gone as smoothly as it did if there had been a larger group of conservative parishes who had opted not to join the Anglican Diocese and had sent delegates to the special convention? You went there and labored in vain, but you are only one man, however valiant.
ODC (#14)
Being weary myself, I’m inclined to hear things that people don’t always intend. Frankly (and I know this is a minority opinion here) I wish for my diocese (as for yours) that we would walk away from all the material things to which we do have a moral (and in the case of your state, a legal) claim. As a layman, I serve a parish that my diocese dearly wants to be part of the realigment and it’s not – sadly – because we’re the site of great works of mission or outreach (though we do try with our limited means) but because we’re the downtown cathedral. And there are times when it seems as if that matters more than actually helping [b]individuals[/b] within our congregation decide whether or not they should realign.
Jeremy (#18)
Are you saying that the Trinity cathedral will reamain in TEC? Its’ priests as well?
Are there plans for a new Cathedral for the diocese that leaves TEC?
Eugene (#22),
It’s too soon to predict with any accuracy what will happen to any parish in this diocese after October 4.
Eugene,
I whole heartedly agree with Jeremy on his post #23. Even here in San Joaquin many of us thought, includiing the bishop, that certain parishes would walk the path with us and in the end not only to the total surprise by us but the bishop as well, did we find out that at least three churches we believed were with us were in fact not. Fr. Rob Eaton’s church being one of them. So only after October 4th will all be revealed in truth! 🙂
I think Bishop Righter lives in Pittsburgh and attends the church where Dr. Lewis is rector. I wonder if he has been approached to be the Assisting Bishop of the Remain Episcopal diocese?
#23 and 24″
Thanks: I misread the phrase “and it’s not” in #21.
I agree that no one knows for sure the outcome of the votes.
Tom (#25)
Righter started his clerical career in Aliquippa in the 1950s under Bishop Pardue, whose initiatives began the process of moving Pittsburgh into the orbit that it currently occupies, so to have him take charge as things fall apart seems rather appropriate. It might even be preferable to Harold Lewis for those who are obliged/choose to stay. He’s not in the best of health, however.
My above was intended to apply only to a possible appointment from outside. It won’t happem if the Pittsburgh 12 are organized.
From what I hear, several of the ‘fence-sitting’ clergy (including several on +Schofield’s Standing Comm) in SJ are waiting to see which way the wind blows….and that at least one has gone AMIA, instead of realigning with +Schofield. I also hear that the bishop is very, very disappointed in them. Can anyone clarify? Thanks.
#29
I am sure all Bishops think that all their parishes should follow them. Is the Pittsburgh the Bishop happy with the 12 orthodox clergy who want to remain TEC.
Little Cabbage #29,
It is true that St. Paul’s Modesto decided to align with AMiA. And the relationship between Fr. Mike McClenighan (spelling?) and Bishop Schofield is a very good one. As far as the other [i]’fence sitters”[/i] I believe they are no longer [i]”fence sitters”[/i]. They have pretty much made up their minds where they want to be. And I pray that God blesses us all no matter where we decided to put our lot into.
I too was surprised when Fr Eaton and his parish sided with TEC. I wouldn’t have thought it possible at the past four conventions, but then I guess I didn’t know them as well as I thought I did. And Little Cabbage, I haven’t heard that the “fence-sitting clergy…..whoever they are…..are waiting to see which way the wind blows.
Eugene,
As much as most Bishops who hope or wish that all their parishes would follow a [b]decesion that was made by the majority of the laity at a convention and not the decesion of the Bishop himself[/b] to follow maybe a hope and a prayer he would have, but in all honesty he knows that getting everyone to do the same thing is welll….not in his nor the majority of voters in the diocese power. That would be a miracle of God for it to actually happen.
One Day,
Sorry, dearheart, but you completely misrepresent me in a few of your comments. Perhaps this would be better to clarify privately. If unwilling, at least let me say again that it was God’s decision for me, and it is not my glory that I seek but to the Father’s glory that I agreed. Perhaps that’s what you meant to say about the diocese, too (comment 17).
However, on the “remaining of (my) post”, which has to do with things concerning Pittsburgh and parallels in SJ, what is it specifically that you disagree with? No election of a priest to be a provisional bishop? That all sides blew it? Certainly, you’re not disagreeing with the call to prayer I made?
Be specific.
No time here for drive-bys.
Jeremy (in 27 and 28), again, Dr. Lewis not being a bishop will simply not be in the immediate picture to be elected and consecrated, no matter who ends up in the power seat. Down the road, perhaps. Righter is another story, but I doubt if he’ll be on the short list for those reasserters who will stay and be organized to carry on.
Little Cabbage (in 29), appreciate the call for clarity, which is clearly called for. : )
But this is about Pittsburgh. Perhaps you could ask if there are any “fence-sitting” clergy and parishes in Pittsburgh that might sway the balance of things there post-withdrawal, if and when.
Fr. Rob,
I am no drive by and I am certainly not your [i]”dearheart”[/i]. Only my husband has the right to call me that. I find you comment deragatory! I would certainly love to have a dialogue with you privately. I will call your office and make an appointment, that is if you are not too busy. I did say that I respected your decision to stay and work within. Please do not mis-represent me nor my comments.
Blessings
ODC
Although there are sure to be some surprises ahead, my best guess is that of the approximately 1/3rd of Pittsburgh that will not realign, half, or a little more than half, will be of the “Communion-Conservative” variety, half, or a little less than half, will be of the “Progressive” variety. While it’s certain that the progressive elements of the diocese will be proportionally much more significant post-realignment than they are now, the constituency of the remaining TEC diocese will be substantially different from what was left after realignment in SJ. For that reason alone I would expect a different storyline.
Bruce Robison
BMR+,
You are very wise and correct. And I might add that Ft. Worth will be just as different than either Pittsburg or San Joaquin. After all we are talking about human-beings and their emotions on any given day that accompany them as being human.
Prayers abound for you all.
At the risk of being slightly off topic please access the following link to gauge the progress of Episcopal reconciliation in my Diocese.
[url=http://banweb.co.fresno.ca.us/plsql/ck_public_qry_doct.cp_dktrpt_frames?backto=P&case_id=08CECG01425&begin;_date=&end;_date=]link[/url]
Intercessor
[i]A reminder — long links create formatting problems for some browsers. Please avoid them. Thanks — the elves[/i]
The only effort at “reconciliation” that I can see is reconciliation on TEC’s terms. I look forward to countersuits from our bishop, +John-David.