Bishop Dorsey McConnell of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh was encouraged that the primates \u201cunequivocally stated their unanimous desire\u201d\u009d for unity. \u201cGiven recent developments in the Episcopal Church, we can\u2019t reasonably represent the majority opinion of the primates on external bodies or even internally, and that this statement simply acknowledges that reality,\u201d\u009d he said.<\/p>\n
In 2008, much of the local Episcopal diocese broke away to join the new Anglican Church in North America, whose founding leader was Bishop Robert Duncan.<\/p>\n
Bishop Duncan, who completed his term in that leadership role but is continuing to lead the Anglican Church in North America\u2019s Diocese of Pittsburgh until his retirement later this year, called the primates\u2019 decision \u201cstunning.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the price we paid here for standing as we stood, there\u2019s some measure of this decision saying the world stood with us,\u201d\u009d he said.<\/p>\n