From the diocese of Pittsburgh website:<\/i><\/p>\n
Continuing work begun at their May retreat, members of the Board of Trustees, Diocesan Council and Standing Committee met on June 29 at St. Martin\u2019s in Monroeville to talk again about the future direction of the diocese.<\/p>\n
Bishop Robert Duncan thanked the diocesan leadership for the work they have done over the last month and a half to help the diocese begin to think through the choices it faces now that the national church has made it clear there will be no positive answer to the diocese\u2019s request for Alternate Primatial Oversight or any return to mainstream Christianity. \u201cI couldn\u2019t be prouder of the leadership of the diocese. You have risen to help us figure this out,\u201d\u009d he said.<\/p>\n
Leaders shared information about events both inside and outside the diocese. Within the diocese, four of eight districts have held open meetings to discuss how the diocese should respond to these events. Those meetings were often very emotional, with comments ranging from clear calls to separate from the national Episcopal Church immediately, to expressions of deep anger and hurt at the leadership of the diocese for even considering such a move.<\/p>\n
Some common themes are emerging. As one speaker said at the District II meeting on June 19, \u201cThe fundamental issue is always fidelity to Christ and his Gospel.\u201d\u009d Another group of speakers clearly stated that \u201cthe fight isn\u2019t worth it, but the mission is,\u201d\u009d reported the leaders of District III. Many Pittsburgh Episcopalians continue to have questions about the basics of the discussion. In District IV, \u201cA good number of people did not understand that the national church laid claim to all property and endowments,\u201d\u009d reported its leaders. The meeting in District VII wanted the diocese to hear their pain and concern that anyone would even consider separation from the national church as a way forward. \u201cSome very emotional people said some very emotional stuff,\u201d\u009d reported one of its leaders.<\/p>\n
Bishop Duncan encouraged those districts that had not yet met to schedule their meetings in the near future. \u201cI am convinced that the sooner our people are dealing with this, thinking about this, praying about this, the better it will turn out,\u201d\u009d he said. Bishop Duncan also reminded diocesan leaders of the path toward a decision. While it will ultimately be the diocesan convention that decides the course forward, any proposed resolutions setting that course need to be developed by the middle of August.<\/p>\n