News for Week Ending 1/18/2010
Earthquake devastates Haiti
Worldwide, the big story of the week was the earthquake that largely destroyed Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, on January 12, 2010. The story is of special interest to Episcopalians because Haiti is a diocese of The Episcopal Church, one that has companion relationships with a number of other Episcopal Church dioceses. Pittsburgh is not one of those dioceses, but Bishop Price issued a statement calling for prayers, gifts to Episcopal Relief & Development, and encouraging others to pray and give. Episcopal News Service has written a number of stories about the catastrophe and the relief efforts, beginning with its story of January 13. Additional stories can be found (and, presumably, will continue to appear) on the News page of Episcopal Life Online here.Cause of women bishops in Communion suffers setbacks
Supporters of women bishops in the Anglican Communion were disappointed on two fronts this past week. The Rev. Alison Peden was one of the finalists being considered as the new bishop for the United Diocese of Glasgow & Galloway in the Scottish Episcopal Church. Her election would have made her the first woman bishop in Britain. Reuters reported January 16, 2010, however, that the Very Rev. Dr. Gregor Duncan was selected for the post instead. (The diocesan press release can be read here.) Peden was the first woman finalist for an episcopal position since the ordination of women was approved by the Scottish Episcopal Church in 2003.The committee drafting proposed legislation to allow women bishops in the Church of England has failed to produce a report in time for consideration by the church’s General Synod next month. Church Times reported that the legislation cannot now be considered until the next Synod meeting in July. (See earlier Pittsburgh Update story here.)
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