This we will speak about, learn about, and engage together in the coming days, months, and years. As you know, the Vestry of St. Andrew’s has expressed with clarity that our parish will continue as a parish within the Episcopal Church, and will not recognize or participate in the organization of the “realigned diocese.”<\/p>\n
On leaving St. Martin’s this afternoon canonically resident Pittsburgh clergy were asked to take certificates licensing them as deacons or priests of the Diocese of Pittsburgh in the Southern Cone Province, and I declined to receive the one with my name on it. As I have indicated to you, I will remain a priest of the Episcopal Church, U.S.A.<\/p>\n
Again: much sadness, and a sense of profound loss. I personally have expressed my deep respect and love for many dear friends and colleagues who have chosen today to walk in a different direction–and my hope and prayer that in many ways the spirit of friendship and shared ministry that we have known in the past may be able to continue. But of course there will be changes, and it will be necessary to move forward to the new challenges that await us without being overly-encumbered by what lies in our past. We’ll have to figure that out as we go on.<\/p>\n