The charges against Duncan were initiated by Pittsburgh Episcopalians who feared he would lead the diocese into secession and take church property with him.
Duncan “has rejected numerous opportunities and warnings to reconsider and change course,” said the Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh in a statement. “Instead, he has continued to resolutely pursue a course of action designed to remove this diocese and many unwilling Episcopalians from the Episcopal Church.”
Elected bishop of the 20,000-member diocese 11 years ago, Duncan has been a prominent voice for conservative Episcopalians distraught over the liberal drift of the church on biblical interpretation and sexual ethics. He leads the Anglican Communion Network, a conservative network that claims some ten dioceses and 900 congregations in North America.
Duncan is the second Episcopal bishop removed from active ministry this year. In January, Fresno bishop John-David Schofield was deposed for leading the San Joaquin diocese to secede.
So the PB and her HoB performed their sham deposition of +Duncan, and DioPitt left anyway. Has it sunk in that 815 and its innovations are not universally adored?
The phrase, “to remove this diocese and many unwilling Episcopalians from the Episcopal Church” is somewhat ambiguous. I would say that it is false if it means “Episcopalians who are unwilling to be removed”, but true if it means “to remove people who are unwilling to be Episcopalins.”
Alternatively: the Episcopal Church and Schori have “rejected numerous opportunities and warnings to reconsider and change course.”
“Instead, [they have] continued to resolutely pursue a course of action designed to remove … many unwilling Episcopalians from the [Anglican Communion].”
Sauce for the goose, pot, kettle, etc.
Opinions are one thing; facts are another. We don’t expect journalists to always espouse the same opinions we do, but we do expect them to get the facts straight. In this case, the RNS article gets a key date wrong. San Joachin’s +John-David Schofield was (supposedly) deposed at the MARCH meeting of the HoB, not in “January.”
David Handy+
So, I ask again, “what did the HOB and the PB gain by (illegally) deposing Duncan? Isn’t everyone in the same place they would have been if they hadn’t done it?”
[blockquote]Duncan “has rejected numerous opportunities and warnings to reconsider and change course,” said the Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh in a statement. “Instead, he has continued to resolutely pursue a course of action designed to remove this diocese and many unwilling Episcopalians from the Episcopal Church.”[/blockquote]
I believe that those wishing to stay had their say by voting nay. And, from what I have read, the Diocese has, and is, making every effort to allow the people to choose for themselves the direction they will go. As far as I can see no one is being forced to leave, or stay, against their will. It is their prayerful decision to make.
As for those fighting the split in civil court, my opinion is that the building, or buildings they occupy should be allowed to remain in their hands. But conversely it is should not be theirs to say that all of the churches and buildings remain with TEC.
I am certain that my ancestors would not approve of the path TEC has taken. It is not the historic faith that they were raised in. They did not put their blood sweat and tears into their churches to see it all stripped away by a national church that did not respect their beliefs.
I stand in support of +Duncan and the Diocese, my prayers and heart are with them as they make this momentous move. But, I sincerely pray for those choosing to remain in TEC. They will have as rocky a road ahead as those who have made the decision to part.
You know folks this all a huge mess…KJS goes full steam ahead, holding clergy hostage to their pensions, while lay people are understandably hard pressed to give up their long held denominational identities.
The Primates notion of ceasing all litigation is actually the wisest move we could make….and begin to behave like Christians…even using Communion constructed holding vehicles…so things can sort themselves out without all the diminishment to our reputations, wasted time, energy, and money.
There is no power really in the PB…and a diocesan bishop really has only convening and moral authority…does all the power grab really catch in its wings any real effective power….let rectors, vestries, and parishioners try to sort things out locally…Episcopalians are so strapped with maintenance of old buildings that there is so little outreach happening anyhow.
But it would be a worth while time out if we could suspend our fight, work on making disciples, and even try in our own little ways to fulfill a Millennium Development Goal or two.
“There is no power really in the PB…and a diocesan bishop really has only convening and moral authority..”
Caleb, I disagree! Power in the national EC most certainly resides in the hands of the PB, along with her bank of lawyers headed by Booth, some of her bishops, and the liberal activists who pursue various agenda such as the homosexual lobby, the ‘right to choice’ lobby and others.
when will someone (or has someone) of standing send a letter to +++ABC asking him for clarification on this matter – is +Duncan still recognized as a Bishop in the AC or not? Is the Diocese of Pittsburgh still a legitimate diocese under the Southern Cone? +++Rowan needs to answer these questions!!
#9, I don’t think that you can look to the current ABC for leadership on this issue. He’ll just fudge and pass the buck. This is the same ABC who regards heresy and “border crossings” to be equally offensive.
Perhaps the ABC could sic the Panel of Reference on this matter before legal action? Or that new Lambeth thingy committee yet to be formed or announced? Or the aptly misnamed Windsor Continuing to do nothing Committee? The ABC has a veritable myriad of delaying options to give the appearance of doing something whilst treadmilling. Do give him a chance. It’s only been 5 years since ECUSA/TEC/GCC/EP-PAC initiated the meltdown and you want action within this archbishopric tenure?
#8…I agree with what you are saying, but it is not the power to create and bring to Christ that KJS has…we are all squandering that…oh for purer decisions…like the post above that talks about not taking the letter of transfer to the southern cone…is that a pension decision, or is it a theological decision…it is only in faithfulness that we have any power worthy of our callings…I wish we all could be more clearly living fully in subjection to the Lord…I just wonder how that is at work on either side…mostly what I see is the impending destruction of mainline Christianity…even for those avoidant personalities who run entertainment massage services…