One consequence of TEC’s deposition of the Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan—surely overlooked in the “prayerful” rush to judgment—is to confirm that The Episcopal Church is not a hierarchical organization.
How did that happen? I shall explain.
TEC is now forced to regard the see of Pittsburgh as vacant. And who can fill the vacant see? The Presiding Bishop? No. The House of Bishops? No. The House of Deputies? No. General Convention? No. The Executive Council? No. (I shall call all of these together “the usual suspects.”)
Answer: Only the clergy and parishioners of the Diocese of Pittsburgh can.
That’s some hierarchy. Were this the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope or a Cardinal would have a new bishop in the office on Monday.
Or consider this: who has the power to call a diocesan convention in Pittsburgh, now that there is no diocesan? Any of the usual suspects? No.
Answer: Only the Standing Committee of the Diocese, acting as the Ecclesiastical Authority when there is no bishop, can call a diocesan convention.
Again, that’s some hierarchy.
I hope someone at the House of Bishop’s reminded the members about how the “prophetic” ones were sure that “they would all get over it” in 2003.