A pastoral letter from Bishop Duncan indicated that he would abide by the vote of the House of Bishops, but does not believe it can stop the diocesan effort to secede. The diocesan Standing Committee, most of whose eight members back secession, would govern the diocese until the Oct. 4 convention. If the vote is for realignment as expected, then the seceding diocese could re-elect Bishop Duncan, according to diocesan spokesman, the Rev. Peter Frank.
“We as a diocese will not be intimidated or turned form our overriding commitment, which is faithfulness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ within the mainstream of Anglicanism,” Bishop Duncan wrote.
He and his supporters say the method that Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori chose to try to remove him is a misuse of canon law and denies him due process.
“I continue to maintain that the House of Bishops ‘vote’ will be a gross violation of the constitution and canons of the Episcopal Church,” he wrote.
So, if the Standing Committee stand to their guns, it matters not what the kangaroo court in SLC does on 9/18, for on 10/04 DioPitt is taken out of TEO by the SC.
The only thing uncertain in all this, is what trumped-up cause of action will TEO use to fire the SC and will they go quietly into the night?
Watch out! Schori & Co. will do as they please regardless of propriety. If the good bishop, +Bob Duncan abides by such an insidious decision, and steps aside even for a moment, they will rush to fill the vacancy by any means possible – regardless of legality.
Diocese of Pittsburgh, we are with you, keep your Bishop in authority not matter what.