News for Week Ending 2/6/2012

Covenant votes continue in England

Dioceses of the Church of England continue to vote on whether to send the Anglican Covenant back to the General Synod for a final vote on adoption by the CoE. The No Anglican Covenant Coalition reported the votes of three diocesan synods February 5, 2012. The Diocese of Canterbury has voted to adopt the Covenant, but the dioceses of Derby and Gloucester voted to reject the Covenant. Additional diocesan synod votes are scheduled in the coming weeks. To date, more dioceses have rejected the Covenant than have approved of it.

Anti-gay bill returns in Uganda

Warren Throckmorton posted a video from Uganda on his Web site February 6, 2012. The video is a news report indicating that an anti-gay bill will be introduced (tabled) in the Parliament February 7. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.)

Savannah church seeks contempt ruling against departed congregation

Winning in court does not automatically achieve the goals of litigation. Christ Church, Savannah, and the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia are seeking a contempt ruling against the departed congregation and its priest, the Rev. Marcus Robertson. The church, in response to a court victory, was returned to the Episcopal diocese in December—see Pittsburgh Update story here—but the petitioners allege that a $2 million endowment fund and other property have not been returned. More details can be found in a February 1, 2012, story from Savannah Morning News.

Absalom Jones event to be held at cathedral

The annual celebration of the first African-American priest of The Episcopal Church will be held at Trinity Cathedral on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Speakers include Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Tony Norman and the Rev. David A. Hooker, attorney, author, mediator, and priest from Atlanta, Georgia. Details can be found on the diocesan Web site, along with an on-line registration form.