Pittsburgh Update

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noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:34:00 +0000

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News for Week Ending 3/8/2010

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:58:00 +0000

English bishop calls for acceptance of diversity on sexual issues

Times columnist Ruth Gledhill reported March 6, 2010, that Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt. Rev. James Jones, whom she describes as a “leading evangelical,” is calling on Anglicans to accept a diversity of opinion on matters of sexual ethics in order to maintain unity and to move forward on mission. Breaking ranks with many on the Anglican right, Jones asserts that homosexuality is not a choice. According to Gledhill

Even if the traditionalists are right, he [Jones] says, and gay sex is wrong, it is unclear precisely what sin will have been committed by gay couples other than “in a world of such little love two people sought to express a love that no other relationship could offer them.”

More information on Jones’s address to the Synod of the Diocese of Liverpool is available from The Lead. The complete address can be read on the Diocese of Liverpool Web site.

ACA votes to join Rome

The Anglican Church in America, a member of the Traditional Anglican Communion, voted March 3, 2010, in Orlando, Florida, to join the Roman Catholic Church, thus taking advantage of the offer by the Vatican to become Roman Catholic while maintaining certain Anglican traditions. The Traditional Anglican Communion is not part of the Anglican Communion. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Spero News has reported on the decision by the ACA House of Bishops. More information is available in an editorial by Catholic Online.

Glasspool nearing approval by standing committees

The Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool, one of two priests elected suffragan bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles on December 4, 2009, now has 55 of the needed 56 consents from diocesan standing committees to her consecration. (See Pittsburgh Update story on the election here.) The news about Glasspool, who has been partnered for 19 years with Becki Sander, came in a weekly update on the consent process published by the diocese on 3/3/2010. The Rev. Canon Diane Jardine Bruce, the other suffragan-bishop-elect achieved sufficient standing committee consents on February 17. To allow for her consecration, each candidate will also need consents from a majority of Episcopal bishops with jurisdiction. The Presiding Bishop’s office does not announce those votes in advance. It has just been announced, however, that Canon Bruce has now received all the consents required for consecration.

The Living Church has published a story about various comments made about consents for Glasspool by bishops and members of standing committees. Pittsburgh’s Standing Committee has not yet acted on the Glasspool election. Consents must be received by the Diocese of Los Angeles by May 5.

Judge backpedals in El Paso case

The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande thought it had won a quick victory over a breakaway congregation, but Judge Gonzalo Garcia changed his mind and has ordered parties to appear in his court March 3, 2010. The judge had initially entered an order for summary judgment February 10 in favor of the diocese in its dispute with the congregation of St. Francis on-the-Hill Episcopal Church in El Paso. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The congregation voted in 2008 to leave The Episcopal Church and now operates under the name of St. Francis on-the-Hill Church. Its property is said to be worth millions of dollars.

It appears that the El Paso dispute will be decided by an actual trial. Details of the affair can be found in a March 5 story by Episcopal News Service.

Virginia case to go to state Supreme Court

On March 3, 2010, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia announced that the Virginia Supreme Court will hear the appeal of the diocese in The Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Virginia v. Truro Church, et al. beginning April 12, 2010. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) A lower court awarded parish property to breakaway congregations on the basis of a nineteenth-century law peculiar to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Property litigation continues in Fort Worth

The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth filed a brief March 3, 2010, in the ongoing property litigation resulting from the schism in that diocese. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The diocese has responded to, among other arguments, the suggestion that The Episcopal Church is not a national church but a regional one in which the diocesan bishop, not the General Convention is the supreme authority. The brief can be read here.

Washington bishop lets priests preside at same-sex marriages

On March 4, 2010, one day after same-sex marriages became legal in the District of Columbia, Bishop of Washington John Chane announced that priests of the diocese may preside at same-sex weddings, though no priest will be required to do so. Episcopal News Service reported the story here. The diocese issued a press release and a six-page set of guidelines.

Dallas endorses covenant, declares nullification of GC resolutions

Meeting in special convention March 6, 2010, the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas passed a resolution endorsing the Anglican covenant, while simultaneously affirming “our full membership and participation in The Episcopal Church and the world wide Anglican Communion.” Bishop of Dallas James M. Stanton made it clear at the outset that separation from The Episcopal Church was not an option. The convention also passed a resolution “dissociating” the diocese from acts of the 2009 General Convention: Resolution C056 and Paragraphs 4–7 of Resolution D025. The Living Church reported on the convention, as did David Virtue. The diocese itself has posted the resolutions here.

Pittsburgh Cursillo meeting scheduled

A meeting of Cursillistas interested in revitalizing the Cursillo movement in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh will take place March 11, 2010, at the diocesan office. Under former bishop Robert Duncan, Pittsburgh Episcopal Cursillo became closely associated with the bishop, and many Cursillo leaders were among those who left The Episcopal Church when the diocese experienced its October 4, 2008, schism. Provisional Bishop Kenneth Price will meet with the group.

Cursillo is a movement that began in the Roman Catholic church and seeks through various programs to develop lay church leaders. Cursillo is active in many Episcopal dioceses, always under the auspices of the bishop.

Details of the March 11 meeting can be found on the diocesan Web site.

News for Week Ending 3/1/2010

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:10:00 +0000

Supreme Court rejects La Crescenta appeal

Episcopal News Service reported March 1, 2010, that the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of St. Luke’s Anglican Church. The church, formed by the breakaway congregation of St. Luke’s of-the-Mountains Episcopal Church in La Crescenta, California, had lost its property to the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles when it appealed to the high court in December. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Both the diocese and the new church have issued statements.

Defendants appeal in Calvary case

On February 25, 2010, attorneys for deposed Pittsburgh bishop Robert Duncan and his fellow defendants filed a notice of appeal to various findings and orders of the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas in the so-called Calvary lawsuit. Such an appeal was promised last October 29—see Pittsburgh Update story here—in response to Judge Joseph M. James’s October 6 ruling that property controlled by the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh before the schism of October 4, 2008, should remain under the authority of the Episcopal Church diocese.

Although the notice of appeal to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania lists various Common Pleas Court actions dating back as far as May 2007 as being the subject of the defendants’ appeal, the filing gives no hint as to the basis for the appeal.

Calvary Episcopal Church first sued Bishop Robert Duncan and other diocesan leaders in October 2003 in an attempt to keep church property within The Episcopal Church in the event of schism. Litigants reached a settlement two years later embodied in a stipulation that declared, among other things, that diocesan property “shall continue to be so held or administered by the [Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America] regardless of whether some or even a majority of the parishes in the Diocese might decide not to remain in the Episcopal Church of the United States of America.” Litigation in the past year has focused on enforcing this provision and has not touched on property held by parishes.

Their appeal notwithstanding, the defendants have been co-operating in surrendering diocesan property to the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh.

News for Week Ending 2/22/2010

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:54:00 +0000

Forward in Faith Australia votes to go to Rome

The Anglo-Catholic organization Forward in Faith Australia Inc. (FiFA) has decided to work with the Roman Catholic church to set up an Australian Ordinariate in response to the offer made to Anglicans by the Vatican. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Members of FiFA, in a special meeting February 13, 2010, passed resolutions declaring their intent to unite with Rome. Links to background and commentary can be found on Thinking Anglicans. A story from Sydney from the Roman Catholic point of view can be found at Catholic Online.

General Synod ACNA vote sparks comment

The February 10, 2010, resolution by the Church of England’s General Synod regarding the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)—see Pittsburgh Update story here—has inspired a good deal of commentary. Thinking Anglicans has collected links to much of the available material. “ACNA Debate Continued” contains links to some commentary, but also to documents, transcripts, and audio and video of the General Synod debate. Links to other material may be found here and here.

Executive Council meets in Omaha; Jim Simons is new member

Executive Council of The Episcopal Church met in Omaha, Nebraska, from February 19 to February 22, 2010. An Episcopal News Service story reported on the first day of the meeting and provided background information. Items of particular interest mentioned:

The Presiding Bishop discussed the situation in the Diocese of South Carolina at some length. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.)
Executive Council will defer to its next meeting the selection of an episcopal representative to the Anglican Consultative Council. Bishop Catherine Roskam’s term has expired. Clergy representative Ian Douglas will have to resign his position, as he is bishop-elect of Connecticut. He could possibly be designated the episcopal representative at the Council’s June 16–18, 2010 meeting.

A second ENS story was published February 21. It reports on information showing an ongoing decline in Episcopal Church attendance. The Presiding Bishop pointed out that the current decline began before the 2003 General Convention consented to the consecration of Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire, an event to which some have attributed attendance decline.

A message to the church from the Executive Council was released February 22. Of the situation in South Carolina, the Council noted:

The Presiding Bishop’s update on the rising tensions in the Diocese of South Carolina kept us mindful of the work we all face in teasing out threads of honest theological differences from a fabric of misinformation and misunderstandings in more than one place in our Church and the Anglican Communion.

The message also noted changes in the composition of the Executive Council: the Rev. Ian Douglas is out, as he is becoming a bishop; the Rev. Jim Simons of Pittsburgh was elected to join the Council.

ENS provided a list of Executive Council actions here.

Springfield to elect new Bishop

Bishop Peter Beckwith stepped down as diocesan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield February 1, 2010, expressing weariness after 45 years of ministry. Beckwith is a conservative bishop who has shown much sympathy for dissidents who have left The Episcopal Church, though he has stayed in the church. Diocesan leaders expect to have a replacement bishop in place in little more than a year, a schedule that some see as unduly compressed. The State Journal-Register of Springfield discussed what may be a contentious episcopal election in a February 20, 2010, story.

News for Week Ending 2/15/2010

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:20:00 +0000

CoE General Synod makes news

As noted here last week, The General Synod of the Church of England met February 8–12, 2010. The General Synod made some news and avoided making other news. Most notable among what did not happen was the lack of progress on the implementation of women bishops. The failure of a committee to deliver a report on how this should be done required that the subject would be deferred to the next meeting of the General Synod in July.

In a move that was not necessarily anticipated, the General Synod voted to provide the same survivor benefits to partners of clergy in civil partnerships as is provided to surviving clergy spouses. Details may be found at the Christian Today Web site and elsewhere.

Of greatest interest to Episcopalians is the General Synod’s disposition February 10 of the resolution declaring that the Church of England desired to be in communion with Archbishop Robert Duncan’s Anglican Church in North America. The resolution was amended to acknowledge the desire of ACNA “to remain within the Anglican family” and to request a report on the implications of that desire from CoE archbishops in a year. The resolution was widely seen as a defeat for ACNA (see the Episcopal News Service story, for example), though both ACNA and Archbishop Robert Duncan managed to find a positive message in the General Synod measure.

San Joaquin initiates new litigation

According to a February 10, 2010, press release from the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, the diocese has initiated a new round of litigation aimed at returning church buildings “that are currently occupied by former members of The Episcopal Church who have sought to affiliate with a different denomination.” The diocese reports that earlier invitations from Bishop Jerry Lamb to discuss the return of parish property have largely gone unanswered. The litigation is separate from the dispute over the proper episcopal authority in San Joaquin. A court declared that Lamb is the legitimate bishop in San Joaquin, but that decision is under appeal.

Rio Grande wins court victory

The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande announced on its Web site February 11, 2010, that an El Paso, Texas, judge entered summary judgment in favor of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande and The Episcopal Church in litigation involving St. Francis on the Hill Episcopal Church, El Paso. The congregation had voted to leave The Episcopal Church and went to court to retain the property for what was simply being called St. Francis on the Hill Church. Judge Gonzalo Garcia denied the request of the breakaway congregation and declared the property to be that of the Episcopal diocese.

S.C. bishop postpones diocesan convention

Bishop of South Carolina Mark Lawrence wrote a letter to members of his diocese on February 9, 2010, announcing that the diocese’s annual convention is being postponed from March 4–5, 2010, to March 26. The reason given for the postponement is the need for more time to consider an appropriate reaction to the activities of a South Carolina attorney claiming to be acting on behalf of The Episcopal Church. Thomas S. Tisdale, Jr., has asked for various diocesan and parish documents. Tisdale has expressed concern about the threat of certain parishes to “withdraw” from the diocese and The Episcopal Church. Via Media alliance member Episcopal Forum of South Carolina has provided excellent summaries of the South Carolina dispute, along with links to material on the Web. Its two newsletters on the subject can be found here and here. The Post and Courier, of Charleston, S.C., offers additional perspective in its February 14 story.

Ninth annual Lenten Preaching Series features Episcopal Church bishops

For eight years, East End Episcopal Church have sponsored series of events during Lent involving dinners and Eucharist services on Tuesday nights during Lent. In 2010, the series will feature preaching by Episcopal Church bishops, beginning with our own bishop, the Rt. Rev. Kenneth L. Price, Jr. The theme of the series is “Ancient Wisdom, Modern Hope.” The first event takes place at St. Stephen’s, Wilkinsburg. Dinner begins at 6 PM, and the Eucharist begins at 7 PM. Details of the series can be read here.

News for Week Ending 2/8/2010

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:57:00 +0000

CoE General Synod begins

The Church of England’s General Synod is meeting February 8–12, 2010. Of greatest interest to Episcopalians is the debate over the powers of women bishops and whether the CoE will declare a desire to be in communion with the Anglican Church in North America. Episcopal News Service has published a story about the General Synod on the first day of its week-long meeting.

Central Florida blazes trail on right

At its 41st annual convention in Lakeland, Florida, on January 30, 2010, the Diocese of Central Florida, led by its conservative bishop the Rt. Rev. John W. Howe, passed a number of resolutions taking positions sharply to the right of the Episcopal Church mainstream. The Living Church reported on the convention February 3, 2010. The convention passed resolutions that “affirmed” the Anglican covenant and the position taken in the Anaheim Statement; “dissociated” the diocese from the church’s connection to the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice; declared that, if Mary Glasspool is consecrated by the Diocese of Los Angeles, episcopal consecrators will have “walked apart” from those in The Episcopal Church who “remain committed to the Faith proclaimed in the Scriptures”; and asserted that there is no theological need to broaden the definition of marriage.

CANA and supporters file briefs in Virginia case

The Commonwealth of Virginia, the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) churches directly involved, and various other organizations have filed briefs with the Virginia Supreme Court in the appellate phase of the property dispute with the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. (Pittsburgh Update reported here the earlier filings by the diocese.) Amicus briefs have been filed by the American Anglican Council and other conservative religious groups. The diocese, meanwhile, has asked to be allowed to file additional material. All the briefs can be found on the Web site of the diocese here.

Pittsburgh diocese celebrating busy weekend

On Saturday, February 13, 2010, a Leadership Day is being held at Calvary Church for various diocesan leaders. That evening, the Rev. Gay C. Jennings will be giving a talk sponsored by Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh at Church of the Redeemer, Squirrel Hill. The title of Jennings’ presentation is “Where We Are: Reflections on the Path from B033 to D025 and Beyond.” (Jennings chaired the committee that was responsible for Resolution D025 at the 2009 General Convention.) All are invited to attend. Another diocesan-wide event is being held Sunday afternoon. A Celebration of New Ministry for the Right Reverend Kenneth L. Price, Jr., will take place at Trinity Cathedral at 4:00 PM and will be followed by a reception.

News for Week Ending 2/1/2010

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:20:00 +0000

Conservative primate resigns from Standing Committee

The primate of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem & the Middle East (and bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Egypt) Mouneer H. Anis has announced his resignation from what has lately been called the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion (formerly the Joint Standing Committee of the Primates and the Anglican Consultative Council). In his five-page explanation of this action, dated January 30, 2010, Anis, who stressed his faithful attendance of Standing Committee meetings, declared that his participation “has no value whatsoever” and that his voice “is like a useless cry in the wilderness.”

Anis’ seems most unhappy with the failure of the Anglican Communion to discipline The Episcopal Church, but his letter contains additional complaints and observations. Episcopal News Service has a story describing his letter and providing background information.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams issued a brief statement of regret in response to the Anis announcement.

CoE/ACNA resolution amendment announced

As reported by Pittsburgh Update here, next week’s Church of England General Synod is to consider a resolution asserting the desirability of the CoE’s being in communion with Archbishop Robert Duncan’s Anglican Church in North America. According to Thinking Anglicans, Bishop Mike Hill will introduce an amendment to the resolution that acknowledges that ACNA wishes to remain in the Anglican Communion and that this raises issues that “relevant authorities” need to explore.

ENS launches new publication

Episcopal News Service announced the mailing of the first issue of Episcopal News Monthly January 27, 2010. The publication replaces the 20-year-old Episcopal Life. The new publication, like its predecessor, is being mailed to Episcopalians in many Episcopal dioceses. (The undivided Diocese of Pittsburgh sent its own publication, Trinity, to Pittsburgh Episcopalians. The reorganized Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has not yet established its own print publication.) Two new church magazines from ENS, Episcopal News Quarterly and Quarterly Magazine will debut later this year.

Former Pittsburgh priest named Kentucky bishop candidate

On January 21, 2010, the Diocese of Kentucky announced its slate of four candidates to succeed Bishop Edwin F. “Ted” Gulick Jr., who intends to retire in August. One of the candidates for his post is the Very Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, dean of Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix. Knisely served as rector of St. Barnabas’, Brackenridge, from 1993–1998. Biographical information on all the episcopal candidates can be found here.

Liberal bishop announces retirement

At the annual convention of the Diocese of Washington, Bishop John Bryson Chane, 65, announced his intention to retire. According to a press release from the diocese, Chane believes it is “time to elect a younger person” to lead the influential diocese. Chane has been a strong defender of The Episcopal Church and an advocate for the full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the church. Chane predicted that his successor could be elected in May or June 2011. The Washington Times covered Chane’s announcement here, calling his episcopate “lackluster.”

Judge orders property transferred to Episcopal Diocese

On January 29, 2010, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas judge Joseph M. James gave Archbishop Robert Duncan and his diocese 20 days to turn over to the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh financial records and other material needed to “hold and administer” diocesan property properly belonging to the Episcopal Church diocese. The judge’s order implements the October 2009 determination by the court that the Episcopal diocese is the proper custodian of property held by the diocese before the 2008 vote of the diocesan convention to leave The Episcopal Church. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The court order includes a list of assets to be given over to the Episcopal diocese, including cash, cash equivalents, liturgical furnishings, and real estate. The list of real property includes Sheldon Calvary Camp, the Donegal property, Old St. Luke’s, and more than 25 churches being used by the Anglican diocese. The Anglican diocese announced in November that it intended to appeal the court’s decision. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.)

The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh issued a statement here. Nothing has yet appeared on the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh site.

News for Week Ending 1/25/2010

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:17:00 +0000

Church of England covenant approval process outlined

According to Thinking Anglicans, members of the Church of England’s General Synod have been sent a description of how approval of the Anglican covenant will be considered by the Church of England. According to that description, the Faith and Order Advisory Group will make a recommendation to the church’s House of Bishops, so that bishops may consider the covenant in May. According to the author of the paper, William Fittall, the church’s decision will require 18 to 24 months from December 18, 2009. As indicated in a comment on the Thinking Anglicans post, Articles 7 and 8 referred to in the paper can be found here.

The Lead reports on Glasspool consents

The Episcopal Church maintains no running tally of votes to consent to or withhold consent to the consecration of newly elected bishops. On January 25, 2010, however, The Lead, a blog sponsored by the Diocese of Washington, offered an unofficial tally of decisions made so far by diocesan standing committees about the consecration of Los Angeles suffragan-bishop-elect Canon Mary Glasspool. Glasspool could become the second openly gay partnered bishop in The Episcopal Church if she gets the consents of a majority of the church’s standing committees and a majority of bishops with jurisdiction. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) According to The Lead, 15 standing committes have voted their consent, and 5 standing committes have withold consent. The Diocese of Los Angles reported that requests for consent for Glasspool were sent January 5. Standing committees and bishops have until May 5, 2010, to act on the election of Glasspool.

Bennison appeals sentence

According to Episcopal News Service, on January 19, 2010, Bishop Charles Bennison, the currently inhibited bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, appealed his conviction for conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy. Bennison was found guilty in 2008 of failing to act on the knowledge that his brother, a youth minister at the time, was engaging in sexual misconduct. Bennison was denied a new trial or dismissal of the charges against him by the original trial court (see Pittsburgh Update story here). He has now appealed to the Court of Review for the Trial of a Bishop.

Bishop Price invites conversation

On January 20, 2010, Bishop Kenneth L. Price, Jr., Pittsburgh’s provisional bishop, sent letters to “lay leaders and clergy of 40 congregations that have not actively participated in the Episcopal Church since October 2008,” according to a story on the diocesan Web site. In his letter, Price invited recipients to meet with him face-to-face to discuss what he called “misunderstandings about the Episcopal Church.” Price noted that the diocese still views the parishes that consider themselves members of another diocese as being part of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. His letter can be read here. Episcopal News Service wrote about the reconciliation effort here.

News for Week Ending 1/18/2010

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 04:57:00 +0000

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.)

CoE Synod may increase gay clergy benefits

The Church of England’s General Synod will be asked next month to give the same benefits to clergy living in civil partnerships as it does to married clergy. (CoE clergy can register their civil partnerships but are expected to remain celibate.) The move to equitable compensation may be derailed by financial considerations, however. The Lead reported the story and provided links here.

More on CoE/ACNA Communion

Last week, we reported that communion between the Church of England and the Anglican Church in North America will be considered at the February meeting of the CoE General Synod. More information is now available. According to the newly released full agenda for the February 8–12, 2010, meeting, the exact motion to be considered is the following: “That this Synod express the desire that the Church of England be in communion with the Anglican Church in North America.” Papers from the supporters of the motion can be read here and here.

Appeals filed in New Westminster case

In response to the November 25, 2009, decision by the British Columbia Supreme Court largely favoring the Diocese of New Westminster in its property dispute with congregations that have left the Anglican Church of Canada—see Pittsburgh Update story here—the dissident congregations have filed an appeal, and the diocese has filed a cross-appeal. According to Anglican Journal, the diocese has not sought to evict the congregations that are now part of the Anglican Network in Canada, but diocesan bishop Michael Ingham has insisted that he must appoint clergy working in Anglican Church of Canada churches. Because the congregations filed an appeal, the diocese is now seeking to reverse one of the issues on which it was not victorious.

News for Week Ending 1/11/2010

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:46:00 +0000

CoE to consider communion with ACNA

Times columnist Ruth Gledhill reported January 8, 2010, that a motion will be considered at next month’s Church of England (CoE) General Synod that would declare the CoE in communion with Robert Duncan’s Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). (See business for February 10 on the Outline Agenda for the General Synod.) Approval of such a motion would not, of course, add ACNA to the Anglican Communion. Gledhill, describing the General Synod as “dominated by evangelicals,” suggested that the motion might indeed pass. Others have questioned both that characterization and Gledhill’s speculation.

ACNA introduced a new Web site and Web address this past week. The new Web site can be found at http://anglicanchurch.net/.

Pastoral visitors bash Episcopal Church

Anglican Journal ran a story January 9, 2010, on the report of two “pastoral visitors” sent by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams to observe a meeting of the Anglican Church of Canada’s House of Bishops last November. The report was written by Bishop Chad Gandiya of Harare, Zimbabwe, and Bishop Colin Bennetts, retired bishop of Coventry, England. According to the Journal, “Archbishop Williams is seeking ways to heal divisions among member provinces of the Anglican Communion.” (Anglican Journal also published an earlier interview with Bishop Bennetts.)

The report was largely positive with regard to the Anglican Church of Canada, whose bishops were described as weary of the same-sex blessings issue. The main reason the report received attention in the U.S., however, was its criticism of The Episcopal Church, though the visitors did not set foot in the U.S. (See, for example, this post on The Lead, which inspired an unusual number of comments, as well as this post on Thinking Anglicans.)

Fort Worth diocese prevails on procedural matter

The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth was victorious on procedural matters December 29, 2009, in Hood County, Texas, in litigation involving St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Parties who left The Episcopal Church and who are claiming St. Andrew’s property attempted to disqualify attorneys and documents representing the position of the Episcopal diocese. District Judge Ralph H. Walton, Jr., ruled in favor of the Episcopal parties on all motions. (Details can be found here on the Diocese of Fort Worth Web site.) The strategy pursued by the former Episcopalians had been rejected in September by a Tarrant County, Texas, judge in a related case. (See Diocese of Fort Worth Web site here.)

Robinson blesses civil union

Civil marriages of same-sex couples became legal in the state of New Hampshire on January 1, 2010. According to The Living Church, Bishop of New Hampshire V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Anglican bishop, blessed the civil marriage of the Rev. Eleanor “Ellie” McLaughlin and Elizabeth “Betsy” Hess on January 2, 2010.

News for Week Ending 1/4/2010

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:36:00 +0000

Covenant draft sparks commentary

As one might expect of Anglicans at Christmas time, the Anglican Communion generated little news not related to Christmas this past week. The “final” draft of the Anglican covenant has, however, provoked a good deal of commentary. (See earlier Pittsburgh Update story here.) Neither now nor in the future will we try to track everything being said about the covenant, but we will try to highlight particularly notable remarks. For now, Thinking Anglicans has done an especially good job of linking to essays exhibiting all degrees of enthusiasm for the covenant. Its large collection of links can be found here.

Closer to home, The Living Church reports that Bishop of Central Florida John W. Howe has encouraged his diocese to adopt a resolution at its January 30, 2010, convention that “affirms” the entire covenant draft.

News for Week Ending 12/28/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Joan R. Gundersen) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:42:00 +0000

Anti-gay bill in Uganda continues to spark controversy

The anti-homosexuality bill before the Uganda parliament continues to draw fire from outside Uganda, including from such conservative organizations as Focus on the Family. Opinion within Uganda, including from Ugandan churches, has been mixed. (See earlier Pittsburgh Update story here.) It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of who has said what and even more difficult to discern the significance of what has been said. The pro-gay Web site Box Turtle Bulletin has done a particularly good job of tracking commentary on the Ugandan legislation, however, and has provided a useful summary here. “Slouching Towards Kampala: Uganda’s Deadly Embrace of Hate” is dated December 15, 2009, but it is updated through December 26.

Briefs filed with Va. Supreme Court in church property dispute

Supporting its appeal of lower-court findings in favor of congregations that left the Diocese of Virginia to join the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA)—see Pittsburgh Update story here—the Diocese of Virginia and The Episcopal have filed briefs with the Virginia Supreme Court. Supporting briefs have also been filed by other religious denominations. All these briefs can be found here on the Diocese of Virginia Web site.

Moyer case takes surprising turn

David Virtue reported December 21, 2009, that David L. Moyer, the Anglo-Catholic priest deposed by Diocese of Pennsylvania bishop Charles E. Bennison in 2002, is suing his lawyer for malpractice.

When he was deposed, Moyer was rector of Good Shepherd, Rosemont. Although Moyer has now been consecrated a bishop in the Anglican Church in America, he is still rector of Good Shepherd. He recently lost a suit against Bishop Bennison and is engaged in litigation in which the diocese is trying to reclaim the Good Shepherd property.

Moyer has now charged John H. Lewis, Jr., and his law firm, Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads, with malpractice in his dispute with Bennison. The defendants have argued that Moyer’s suit has been brought in bad faith. The Virtue Online story provides substantial details about the client-attorney dispute.

The Moyer saga has several connections to Pittsburgh. After his deposition, Moyer, for a short time, was claimed by Bishop Robert Duncan as a Pittsburgh priest. Also, Lewis and his law firm currently represent Duncan and other defendants in the Calvary litigation.

News for Week Ending 12/21/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:20:00 +0000

Final version of covenant draft released

The Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion (formerly the Joint Standing Committee of the Primates’ Meeting and the Anglican Consultative Council), met privately in London December 15–18, 2009. Its main business was the approval of a revised Section 4 of the proposed Anglican Covenant. On December 18, it released a completed draft, with a revised Section 4, to be sent to the churches of the Anglican Communion for their adoption or rejection. A video statement concerning the completed draft by the Archbishop of Canterbury was made available on the Web at the same time. Both Episcopal News Service and The Living Church have provide helpful stories on the release of the completed draft covenant, and each contains helpful links to the draft itself and related material. An additional comparison of the old and new versions of Section 4 is a somewhat different format from that provided by the Anglican Communion Office can be found here.

Before the release of the final covenant draft, the Standing Committee issued a statement reaffirming support for the moratoria on the consecration of partnered gay bishops, on the blessing of same-sex unions, and on episcopal border-crossings. Episcopal News Service reported the story and provided background here.

South Carolina churches distance themselves from Episcopal Church

The Post & Courier, of Charleston, S.C., reported December 19, 2009, that St. Andrew’s Church of Mount Pleasant has voted to leave The Episcopal Church and join the Anglican Church in North America. According to the story, two other congregations in the Diocese of South Carolina, Trinity Episcopal Church of Myrtle Beach and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Hilton Head Island have removed references to The Episcopal Church in their governing documents. The Rt. Rev. Mark Lawrence, South Carolina’s bishop, insisted that neither Trinity nor St. Luke’s is about to leave the church. He has claimed to be in close contact with all three churches. “These are challenging times for all Episcopalians both in the Diocese and in the larger church. Such times I believe call for a pastoral and creative response. I will continue to strive to offer it,” Lawrence said.

Washington bishop praises D.C. action

The Rt. Rev. John Chane, bishop of the Diocese of Washington has praised the D.C. City Council for passing a provision to allow same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia. The bill has been signed by the mayor, but Congress has 30 days in which it can veto the legislation. According to Episcopal News Service, priests in Chane’s diocese may already bless same-sex unions. The bishop may eventually allow them to solemnize marriages and sign marriage licenses if the bill becomes law.

California church appeals to U.S. Supreme Court

According to the Los Angeles Times, the congregation of St. Luke’s Anglican Church, which lost its legal battle to retain parish property when it left The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Los Angeles, has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. The attorney for La Crescenta, California, church is Eric Sohlgren, whose Supreme Court appeal on behalf of another breakaway Los Angeles congregation was rejected by the court in October. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.)

News for Week Ending 12/14/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:25:00 +0000

Condemnations of Uganda anti-homosexual bill continue

This past week saw more comments on the anti-homosexuality bill before the Uganda parliament. (See earlier Pittsburgh Update story here.) Perhaps those of greatest interest to Pittsburgh Episcopalians are a statement from Saddleback Church paster Rick Warren, who has, in the past, supported dissident Episcopalians, and comments in an interview by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

Warren addressed Ugandan pastors in a strongly worded video expressing his unqualified disapproval of the Ugandan legislation. Williams, who had been widely urged to make a public statement about the legislation and to encourage its opposition by the Church of Uganda, has still not issued a formal statement on the legislation, but, in the remarks he made in an interview with George Pitcher, referred to the “shocking severity” of the bill and suggested that it was contrary to positions taken by the Anglican Communion. He noted, but did not actually condemn, the failure of Uganda’s Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi to take a position on the matter.

The Vatican issued a statement that has been seen as aimed, in part, at the Ugandan bill. A Vatican representative, speaking to a United Nations panel, opposed “all grave violations of human rights against homosexual persons” and expressed the Holy See’s concern for “the inherent dignity of the human person.” Box Turtle Bulletin reproduces the statement but remains skeptical about its full meaning.

The Anglican Church in North America released a statement praising the Church of Uganda. According to a communiqué from its first annual Provincial Council, the ACNA group affirmed the “sacredness of every human person” and urged the Church of Uganda “to stand firm against all forms of sexual exploitation and in their publicly stated commitment that ‘the Church is a safe place’ for all persons, especially ‘those struggling with sexual brokenness.’”

L.A. suffragan election draws commentary

The election of the Rev. Canon Mary D. Glasspool as suffragan bishop by the Diocese of Los Angeles—see Pittsburgh Update story here—has been the subject of many commentaries and interviews. If confirmed, she would become the second openly gay partnered bishop in the Anglican Communion. An interview of Glasspool in The Times offers insight into the bishop-elect’s take on her election.

In a somewhat surprising move, the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith, and Order, which happened to be meeting when Glasspool was elected, commented on the episcopal election in its communiqué. “The Commission expressed the fervent hope that ‘gracious restraint’ would be exercised by The Episcopal Church in this instance,” the group said in its report of its work, echoing the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Chicago Consultation, on the other hand, urged the archbishop to reconsider both his silence on the Uganda legislation and his opposition to Glasspool’s Consecration.

The Living Church summarized some early responses to the Glasspool election here. Episcopal News Service did some of the same in an article that also reviewed the current climate and the consent process. The first bishop to express an intention to withhold consent for Glasspool’s consecration is Bishop of Texas C. Andrew Doyle. (See story by The Living Church here.)

We can expect a good deal to be written about the consent process for Glasspool in the coming months. Readers not wanting to miss any of the commentary are urged to check Thinking Anglicans frequently.

News for Week Ending 12/7/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:50:00 +0000

Church leaders condemn proposed Uganda legislation

President of the House of Deputies Bonnie Anderson asserted that passage of the proposed anti-homosexual legislation before the Uganda parliament would be a “terrible violation of the human rights of an already persecuted minority,” according to a November 30, 2009, story from Episcopal News Service. Anderson’s remarks came as pressure has increased for church leaders both in The Episcopal Church and in other churches of the Anglican Communion to speak out against the Uganda measure. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Referring to an anticipated December 7 teleconference meeting of the church’s Executive Council called by petition of Council members, Anderson said, “I hope and believe that a vigorous statement will be forthcoming, and that I will be able to support this statement wholeheartedly.”

As it happens, however, the request for the December 7 meeting was withdrawn by the petitioners after Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori issued a statement December 4 on the Ugandan situation. Jefferts Schori declared that “as a Church we affirm that the public scapegoating of any category of persons, in any context, is anathema. We are deeply concerned about the potential impingement on basic human rights represented by the private member’s bill in the Ugandan Parliament.” Echoing the language of the recent report “Globalizing the Culture Wars: U.S. Conservatives, African Churches, & Homophobia” (see Pittsburgh Update story cited above), the Presiding Bishop said:

Finally, we note that much of the current climate of fear, rejection, and antagonism toward gay and lesbian persons in African nations has been stirred by members and former members of our own Church. We note further that attempts to export the culture wars of North America to another context represent the very worst of colonial behavior. We deeply lament this reality, and repent of any way in which we have participated in this sin.

Episcopal News Service reported the story of the Presiding Bishop’s statement.

The House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada, along with the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, also issued an expression of concern about the Uganda legislation.

Los Angeles elects two suffragans

In convention on December 4 and 5, 2009, the Diocese of Los Angeles elected two women to be suffragan bishops of the diocese. On December 4, the Rev. Canon Diane Jardine Bruce, rector of St. Clements by-the-Sea Church, was elected in three ballots from a field of six candidates. She became the first woman elected a bishop of Los Angeles. A second election from the remaining candidates resulted in the election of the Rev. Canon Mary D. Glasspool on December 5 on the seventh ballot. Glasspool, canon to the bishops of the Diocese of Maryland, has been partnered with Becki Sander for 19 years. Before they can be consecrated, both suffragan bishops–elect must receive consents from a majority of the church’s bishops with jurisdiction and Standing Committees.

Canon Bruce’s election is not likely to prove controversial, and her consent process should proceed smoothly, but Glasspool will face opposition from those seeking to avoid further unrest in the Anglican Communion over ordination of gays and lesbians. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was quick to issue a statement saying that the election of Glasspool “raises very serious questions not just for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the Communion as a whole” and implying that consents should not be given.

Needless to say, news stories and commentary on the Glasspool election are legion and are continuing to appear. Readers should consult posts on Thinking Anglicans beginning with this one to sample what is being said about the situation.

News for Week Ending 11/30/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:40:00 +0000

Brazilian church expresses reservations about covenant

The Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil (IEAB) released its official response to Section 4 of the proposed Anglican covenant on November 24, 2009. (The 8-page English version of the document can be found here.) According to the Foreword, the statement is the result of broad consultation within IEAB. The document makes it clear that the church cannot yet commit to or reject the proposed covenant.

The Brazilian document raises various questions about the covenant process, including whether the agreement should be called a covenant at all. The IEAB finds that the first three sections of the Ridley Cambridge Draft do not break ground and questions why they are even necessary. It finds Section 4 legalistic and argues that it raises serious questions about its wisdom and clarity.

The Rev. Canon Francisco de Assis da Silva, who describes himself as “lawyer, Anglican clergyman, and Secretary General of the IEAB” on his blog, has provided a brief overview of the IEAB document here.

Canadian court rules for New Westminster in property case

The British Columbia Supreme Court ruled November 25, 2009, that the parish property of four congregations that left the Diocese of New Westminster of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) to join the Anglican Network in Canada belongs to New Westminster. (See earlier Pittsburgh Update story here.) The story was reported by The Vancouver Sun. The Anglican Network in Canada is now part of the Anglican Church in North America, headed by Archbishop Robert Duncan. The Diocese of New Westminster’s approval of the blessing of same-sex unions (see chronology here) became, along with the 2003 General Convention’s consent to consecrate Gene Robinson Bishop of New Hampshire, became the topic of the October 2003 emergency meeting of the Anglican primates.

The judge ruled in his 98-page opinion, that parishes “are intrinsically part of the Diocese” without the “authority to unilaterally leave the Diocese.” He dismissed the argument by plaintiff congregations that they had a trust interest in the properties by virtue of their “orthodoxy”:

To repeat, the plaintiffs submit that the parish properties are held on trust for purposes of ministry consistent with historic, orthodox Anglican doctrine and practice. “Historic” and “orthodox” are uncertain and subjective terms that cannot, in my view, form the basis of an enforceable trust. The history of Anglicanism spans over 400 years, and thus it is simply not apparent what period “historic” is in reference to. “Orthodox” is similarly subjective and, therefore, equally problematic in defining a trust. Moreover, a trust which freezes doctrine at a point in history is inconsistent with the history of change and evolution in Anglicanism. For example, the ACC now permits the remarriage of divorced persons. The Church ordains women as priests, and there are also female diocesan bishops in the ACC. These developments are inconsistent with what many would consider historic and orthodox Anglicanism.

The ruling denied the bishop the power to replace trustees who had left ACC but bound the trustees to administer the property for the Anglican Church of Canada.

Bishop Michael Ingham commented on the court decision on the diocesan Web site. In its press release about the decision, the Anglican Network in Canada emphasized its victories in the case and indicated that a decision about whether to appeal has not yet been made.

News for Week Ending 11/23/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:50:00 +0000

Archbishop of Canterbury visits Rome

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams visited Rome last week. On Thursday, November 19, 2009, Williams addressed a symposium celebrating the centenary of the birth of Cardinal Willebrands, the first president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. In his talk, the archbishop asserted that ecumenical talks with the Roman Catholic Church have established broad areas of agreement about the character and mission of the church. He asked if questions of authority, primacy, and decision-making are not secondary theological issues that should not be allowed to impede closer unity. Williams defended the ordination of women and put forward, however improbably, the Anglican Communion as a model for unity despite disagreements. Thinking Anglicans has collected links to commentary on Williams’ address here.

On Saturday, the Archbishop of Canterbury had a 25-minute meeting with Pope Benedict XVI. The New York Times reported that the church leaders held “cordial discussions,” but no especially remarkable news came out of the encounter. Again, Thinking Anglicans contains a collection of links, which you can find here.

Pressure building for Church of Uganda opposition to homosexuality bill

Anglicans are beginning to call for The Church of the Province of Uganda, led by Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, to speak out against the anti-homosexuality bill that has been introduced in the Uganda parliament. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) According to Thinking Anglicans, the Anglican Church of Canada’s Council of General Synod has passed a resolution calling for the Ugandan church to oppose the legislation and for the Canadian government to protest the legislation and work for its withdrawal.

Ekklesia has started an Internet petition to urge Christian leaders to oppose the Uganda legislation, and Chicago Consultation has called for the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Presiding Bishop, and other Anglican leaders to do so as well. Episcopal News Service reported November 23, 2009, that the Episcopal Church’s Executive Council will meet via telephone conference on December 7 to discuss a possible statement on the Uganda legislation.

In a related development, the Massachusetts-based progressive think tank Political Research Associates issued a report detailing the ways American conservatives have used African religious leaders to advance their own agenda. According to PRA, “sexual minorities in Africa have become collateral damage to our domestic conflicts and culture wars.” The report, “Globalizing the Culture Wars: U.S. Conservatives, African Churches, & Homophobia,” can be found on the PRA Web site. Church Times covered the new report.

Bethlehem moves forward with same-sex blessings

Episcopal News Service reported November 17, 2009, that Bishop of Bethlehem Paul Marshall wrote to his clergy November 16 to inform them he has put into place provisions for blessing same-sex unions in the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem. Because the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not allow for same-sex marriage, Marshall cautioned against using the word “marriage” when discussing the newly authorized services. For couples legally joined in another state, The Blessing of a Civil Marriage from the prayer book is to be used, suitably adjusted. For those not otherwise joined, a liturgy from the Diocese of Washington is to be used. “The Washington rite,” explained Marshall, “lays emphasis is on the making of a covenant, as does the BCP.”

The 2009 General Convention’s Resolution C056 has encouraged bishops to authorized the blessing of same-sex unions by willing clergy.

Church buys full-page ad in USA Today

On Friday, November 20, 2009, a full-page advertisement from The Episcopal Church appeared in USA Today. The ad listed beliefs and practices of The Episcopal Church and is described in an Episcopal News Service story here. The Rev. Nicholas Knisley, writing for The Lead, suggested that this and other publicity efforts (e.g., the op-ed piece by Dr. Chuck Robertson, the Presiding Bishop’s Canon in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram) represent the church’s pushing back against the charges of its detractors.

In response to the USA Today ad, the Rev. Frank Logue has offered some very attractive alternative Episcopal Church ads on his blog.

Legal moves complicate Fort Worth litigation

The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth has detailed the latest legal moves by Bishop Leo Iker and his followers who withdrew from The Episcopal Church. Those actions are described on the diocese’s Web site. Iker and other defendants filed a petition for a writ of mandamus with the Second Court of Appeals on November 13, 2009, which is having the effect of delaying progress of the case in the trial court. On November 17, what the Episcopal diocese characterized as “a number of groups claiming to be congregations under the authority of former Bishop Iker and the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone and using the names of some of the Episcopal congregations in the Diocese” petitioned the court for declaratory judgment that they, not members of The Episcopal Church, are entitled to the use of parish buildings. Relevant documents can be viewed from the page cited above.

News for Week Ending 11/16/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:52:00 +0000

Women bishop saga takes another turn

The path to allowing women bishops in the Church of England took another unexpected turn November 13, 2009, when the Revision Committee, which is working out the details of how to implement the policy change, reversed its decision to make major concessions to opponents of ordaining women bishops. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) According to a November 14 press release, committee members could not agree on a plan to accommodate opponents of women bishops. This may result in simpler legislation that cannot be accused of giving women bishops second-class status. The committee has not yet finished its work, however, and conclusions about the ultimate enabling legislation can only be speculative.

Episcopal Church cool to Vatican offer

Bishop Christopher Epting, the Episcopal Church’s deputy to the Presiding Bishop for ecumenical and interreligious relations, has issued a statement in response to the Vatican’s Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) According to Epting’s November 16, 2009, statement, the Vatican action to accommodate groups of disaffected Anglicans who want to join the Roman Catholic Church “appears to be a unilateral action on the part of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which flies in the face of the slow, but steady progress made in the real ecumenical dialogue of over forty years.” Epting reaffirmed the Episcopal Church’s commitment to ecumenical dialogue, but he characterized the Vatican move as an invitation to “come home to Rome.” The full text of Epting’s statement in contained in the Episcopal News Service story here.

Washington bishop supports gay marriage

In a November 16, 2009, column, Bishop of Washington John Bryson Chane has made, according to the essay’s title, “A Christian case for same-sex marriage.” A bill to allow gay marriage in the District of Columbia is now before its Council and may be voted on before Christmas. Whether the bill becomes law, however, ultimately will depend on the Congress.

Chane argued that the Church’s view of marriage has changed over time and that Christian support for same-sex marriage is not a dramatic break with tradition. He chided the press for portraying opposition to gay marriage “as the only genuinely religious or Christian position,” and pointed out the the proposed legislation is secular legislation that does not compel clergy to perform same-sex marriages.

Chane’s support for the D.C. legislation is covered in an Episcopal News Service story here.

San Diego diocese wins another court victory

On November 10, 2009, a California Superior Court judge ruled that two congregations of the Diocese of San Diego cannot leave the diocese and retain their property. The diocese has been locked in a property dispute with the congregations in Oceanside and Ocean Beach, California, since 2006. The decision is consistent with other recent decisions made by California courts. Episcopal News Service reported the story here.

News for Week Ending 11/9/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Diane Shepard) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:33:00 +0000

Vatican issues rules for accommodating disaffected Anglicans

On November 9, 2009, the Vatican issued a press release, as well as other documents detailing how the Roman Catholic Church can establish a full-communion relationship with Anglican groups that have asked to maintain elements of their Anglican identity while becoming Roman Catholics. (See Pittsburgh Update story here on the October announcement that the Vatican would accommodate such groups.) A brief statement has been issued by the Church of England. National Catholic Reporter provides an initial analysis here, and more commentary should be forthcoming from both Roman Catholic and Anglican groups in the coming days. Religion correspondent Ruth Gledhill of The Times suggests that the Vatican plan is generous indeed.

Apparently, the first Anglican group to accept the Vatican’s offer of a Personal Ordinariate is the Traditional Anglican Communion in the U.K. (See story here.) The Traditional Anglican Communion is not in communion with the Anglican Communion.

More on Ugandan anti-homosexuality bill

Uganda’s proposed anti-homosexuality bill continues to cause controversy. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Pink News reports a statement from the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office expressing concern about the bill. Thinking Anglicans, which has published a number of posts about the Ugandan legislation, has posted a press release from the Church of Uganda asserting that the church has not yet expressed an opinion on the bill. The press release makes it clear, however, that the Church of Uganda strongly opposes both the death penalty and homosexuality. Human rights activists cannot be encouraged by the quotation from Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi in the statement: “I am appalled to learn that the rumours we have heard for a long time about homosexual recruiting in our schools and amongst our youth are true. I am even more concerned that the practice is more widespread than we originally thought. It is the duty of the church and the government to be watchmen on the wall and to warn and protect our people from harmful and deceitful agendas.”

Episcopalians identify goals

A survey of Episcopalians conducted by a strategic planning committee established by the church’s Executive Council has identified five goals for The Episcopal Church. In order, those goals are

Reaching youth and young adults
Evangelism/Proclaiming the Good News of Christ
Worship, music and liturgy
Leadership
Strengthening congregations

More information and links to the survey report can be found in the November 5, 2009, story from Episcopal News Service.

Maine bishop laments rejected marriage law

Episcopal News Service reported November 4, 2009, that Bishop of Maine Stephen T. Lane was “deeply grieved” by voters’ rejection of Maine’s same-sex marriage law in the November 3 election. The law, which had been passed by the Maine legislature, had never been put into effect.

Dioceses move forward on blessings

The Lead reports that Bishop of Southern Ohio Thomas E. Breidenthal has announced that priests will be allowed to offer public blessing of same-sex unions in the Diocese of Southern Ohio after Easter next. Full guidelines have not yet been written, but every such ceremony will have to be approved by the bishop. In the same post, The Lead notes that the convention of the Diocese of Massachusetts has passed a resolution urging Bishop Thomas Shaw to allow priests to not only bless same-sex unions, but actually perform civil marriages.

Anglican Diocese holds convention

The newly named Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh—see Pittsburgh Update story here—had its annual convention November 6–7 at St. Stephen’s, Sewickley. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the convention voted to be part of the Anglican Church in North America, rather than the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, but bishops and clergy will be in both entities in order to maintain connection to the Anglican Communion. (It is unclear how this is supposed to work. The proposed changes to the constitution and canons of the diocese are posted on the diocese’s Web site here, and they were presumably passed without amendment.) The convention welcomed several churches from outside the historic boundaries of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh into union with the diocese, and it adopted an anti-abortion resolution. Additional stories on the convention were published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Service Update

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:26:00 +0000

Site Up-to-date

We are happy to report that Pittsburgh Update has now brought its posts up-to-date following its brief absence from the Web. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) We apologize for any inconvenience and do not anticipate any additional problems. Thank you for your patience.

THE EDITORS
Lionel E. Deimel, Ph.D.
Joan R. Gundersen, Ph.D.
The Rev. Diane Shepard

News for Week Ending 11/2/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:56:00 +0000

Anglican compassion in Uganda: jail, rather than execute gays

Uganda is considering a law to increase the penalties for homosexual activity. Homosexuality is already illegal in Uganda, but the law proposed by Ndorwa West MP David Bahati would make certain offenses capital crimes, as well as criminalize the failure to report homosexuals to the authorities. Changing Attitude has summarized the legislation here. A view from inside Uganda can be read in Kampala’s Daily Monitor. Australia’s Sky News reports concern for the legislation in the French and U.S. governments. Ugandan religious communities have urged modest restraint. From Kampala’a Daily Monitor, we have this argument against the death penalty:

“If you kill the people, to whom will the message go? We need to have imprisonment for life if the person is still alive,” said Rev. Canon Aaron Mwesigye, the provincial secretary of the Church of Uganda.

The Church of Uganda is a member of the Anglican Communion and a church closely allied with conservative dioceses and parishes in the U.S. and Britain. Archbishop Duncan has had close ties with Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi of Uganda, who has visited Pittsburgh a number of times. Changing Attitude has urged the Church of Uganda, the Anglican Primates, and Church of England bishops with formal links to Uganda to oppose the proposed legislation.

Judge rules for Diocese of Georgia in Savannah case

On October 27, 2009, Judge Michael Karpf of the Chatham County Superior Court entered summary judgment in favor of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia and against the breakaway leaders of Christ Church, Savannah. The congregation had tried to leave The Episcopal Church with its property. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) In his opinion, the judge begins

This case is one of a series around the country involving parishes of the Episcopal Church who have sought to disaffiliate because of doctrinal differences. Specifically, the case at bar involves a schism in what is likely the oldest church in the state of Georgia. The division within the church has resulted in one faction taking control of the church property, while the other has sued to regain it. It appears that both sides are passionate about the doctrinal issues, but it is well settled that courts have no business intervening in such disputes.

The judge proceeds to apply “neutral principles of law.” Along the way, he distinguishes the case from the recent South Carolina Supreme Court ruling in the Pawleys Island case, which also involved a parish older than The Episcopal Church. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) He concludes

Taking all of these factors into account, the court is entirely satisfied that a trust over the property exists in favor of the National Church and the Diocese of Georgia. Accordingly, the court finds that the church property reverts to the control of the Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia for the uses and purposes of the Episcopal Church and that plaintiffs are entitled to immediate possession.

Episcopal News Service reported on the decision on October 28, 2009. Savannah Morning News ran a story October 27.

Diocese of Tennessee sues to regain property

The Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee has filed suit to reclaim the property of St. Andrew’s, West Nashville. The congregation now styles itself an Anglican church and claims to be part of the breakaway Diocese of Quincy. According to The Tennessean the diocese and the Anglo-Catholic congregation have been unable to resolve their conflict over parish property for three years. The parish’s rector, The Rev. James Guill, claims that the church left the diocese and The Episcopal Church in 2006.

Fort Worth to ordain first woman

The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth has announced that it will ordain the first woman in its history. The diocese was formed from the Diocese of Dallas in 1983, and, before the recent departure of Bishop Jack Iker and his supporters, had been one of only three dioceses in which the priesthood was not open to women. Deacon Susan Slaughter will be ordained a priest by the Rt. Rev. Edwin F. [Ted] Gulick Jr. on November 15, 2009. The upcoming ordination is described on the diocesan Web site here. The Dallas Morning News ran a story on the upcoming ordination on October 27, 2009.

Duncan diocese renamed, vows appeal

On October 29, 2009, the group calling itself the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (Anglican) issued a press release declaring its new name to be the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh. The press release also indicated that the group intends to appeal the recent court decision favoring the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh rendered by Judge Joseph James. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The press release was posted on a new Web site at http://pittsburghanglican.org. The Web site that has been in use by the Duncan group has retained the title “The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (Anglican)” and makes no mention of the press release. The Episcopal Church diocese issued a brief statement expressing its disappointment with the promised appeal and its determination to see the litigation through to its conclusion.

The story was covered by Episcopal News Service, The Living Church, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

News for Week Ending 10/26/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:00:00 +0000

Rome courts Anglo-Catholics

Many Anglicans were stunned October 20, 2009, when the Vatican announced a plan whereby potentially large numbers of disaffected Anglo-Catholics might join the Roman Catholic Church while retaining their liturgies and clergy. The plan would allow married Anglican priests to become Roman Catholic priests; they could not become bishops in the Roman Church, however. The Vatican move came in response to various requests from Anglo-Catholics over the years for inclusion in the Roman Catholic Church. Among such groups is the Traditional Anglican Communion, which claims 400,000 adherents worldwide but which is not part of the Anglican Communion. Because of the ongoing dispute over women bishops within the Church of England, there is concern that there could be significant defections among Church of England Anglo-Catholics, possibly involving litigation over property. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was informed about the Vatican move only at the eleventh hour and publically tried to give the story a positive spin. (See his joint statement with the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster here.)

It is difficult to choose stories to link to here. An enormous number of news stories have been written about the Vatican’s announcement, and even more commentaries, on blogs and op-ed pages, have appeared and continue to appear. The AP story published in the The Washington Post provides a good, early overview. Church Times published a story several days later on “traditionalist” reactions worldwide. Episcopal News Service published its story on reactions to the Vatican here. As usual, Thinking Anglicans is doing a fine job of documenting news and commentary. Interested readers should read the first Thinking Anglicans post and follow subsequent posts on that site, which continue to appear.

Swedish church approves gay marriage

The Local reported October 22, 2009, that the Synod of the Church of Sweden, a Lutheran church, has voted to perform marriages without regard to the sexes of the principals. The measure passed by a nearly 3-2 margin. The church has allowed the blessing of same-sex unions since 2007. The Church of Sweden decision follows the May 1, 2009, legal extension of marriage to gay couples.

Ireland commends Section Four of covenant draft

According to The Church of Ireland Gazette, the Standing Committee of the Church of Ireland General Synod has commended the controversial (and still being edited) Section Four of the draft Anglican Covenant. The Standing Committee said that “we believe that the text of Section 4 as it stands commends itself in the current circumstances.” Section Four of the Ridley Cambridge Draft specifies procedures for resolving controversies within the Anglican Communion. It is currently under review and may be modified before being presented to Communion members for approval.

Centrist Episcopal bishops visit Canterbury

Episcopal News Service reported that six Episcopal bishops representing the “broad center” of The Episcopal Church spoke with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams at Lambeth Palace October 23, 2009. The bishops discussed issues related to the American church and the Anglican Communion, including the proposed Anglican covenant. The six bishops are Clifton Daniel (East Carolina), Michael Curry (North Carolina), Stacy Sauls (Lexington), Neff Powell (Southwestern Virginia), and assisting bishops William Gregg and Chip Marble (both of North Carolina).

Seven conservative bishops had met with Archbishop Williams in September. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.)

S.C. convention votes to isolate diocese from Episcopal Church

At a special diocesan convention called by Bishop of South Carolina Mark Lawrence, South Carolina Episcopalians approved four of the five proposed resolutions offered by the diocesan leadership. (The five resolutions brought before the convention can be read here. Bishop Lawrence’s address to the convention can be read here. It is available as a video clip here.) According to Episcopal News Service, delegates “voted Oct. 24 [2009] to distance themselves from the Episcopal Church and to seek ‘missional relationships with orthodox congregations isolated across North America.’” Among other actions, the South Carolina resolutions declared General Convention 2009 resolutions D025 and C056 null and void. Only Resolution #5, asserting that the diocese “will not condone prejudice or deny the dignity of any person, including but not limited to, those who believe themselves to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered” failed to pass. After discussing a number of amendments, the resolution was tabled.

Dallas convention promotes covenant approval by diocese

At its regular convention, the Diocese of Dallas pointedly avoided considering any resolutions. Instead, the convention, held October 16–17, 2009, considered the proposed Anglican covenant. Centerpiece of the convention was a series of three talks given by Bishop James Stanton and other speakers associated with the Anglican Communion Institute. The convention received little press coverage, perhaps because no resolutions were to be voted on, but Lionel Deimel reported that delegates were told that the diocese has as much right as The Episcopal Church to ratify and Anglican covenant and that they will be asked to do so once Section Four of the covenant is finalized.

Important Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:44:00 +0000

Please Excuse the Interruption

Due to administrative changes beyond the control of Pittsburgh Update editors, this site (and parent site A Pittsburgh Episcopal Voice) was off the Web for approximately three weeks prior to October 25, 2009. These sites have been migrated to a new server and are now completely under the control of Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh. The purpose and policies of Pittsburgh Update are unchanged, and we look forward to supplying Pittsburgh Episcopalians with news of the diocese and news of the wider church with the potential to affect the Pittsburgh diocese.

We apologize for the interruption of service and ask your indulgence as we work to eliminate the backlog of weekly posts that have not yet appeared on the site.

THE EDITORS
Lionel E. Deimel, Ph.D.
Joan R. Gundersen, Ph.D.
The Rev. Diane Shepard

News for Week Ending 10/19/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lionel Deimel) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:20:00 +0000

Presiding Bishop accepts Ackerman renunciation

According to an October 16, 2009, Episcopal News Service story, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has accepted the voluntary renunciation of his ordained ministry by Keith L. Ackerman. Ackerman resigned as Bishop of Quincy shortly before that diocese voted to leave The Episcopal Church. He is president of Forward in Faith North America, a group opposed to the ordination of women. Ackerman intends to function in the United States as a bishop of the Diocese of Bolivia, which is in the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone. Ackerman complained that he did not intend to renounce his ministry, according to The Living Church. ENS, however, reported that the Rev. Charles Robertson, canon to the Presiding Bishop, explained that there is no canonical provision for the kind of ecclesiastical arrangement sought by Ackerman.

Va. Supreme Court to hear Episcopal property case

The Living Church reported October 16, 2009, that the Supreme Court of Virginia has agreed to hear the appeal of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia in its property dispute with congregations now aligned with the Church of Nigeria (Anglican). A lower court ruled against the diocese based on a nineteenth-century Virginia statute. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) A statement from the diocese can be read here. A statement from the Anglican District of Virginia can be found on its News Releases page.

Pittsburgh elects provisional bishop in conflict-free convention

The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh held its first annual convention October 16–17, 2009, since the schism of October 4, 2008. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The convention was held downtown at Trinity Cathedral. On October 17, deputies unanimously approved the Rt. Rev. Kenneth L. Price, Jr., who is also a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, as its provisional bishop. With the election of Bishop Price, ecclesiastical authority in the Pittsburgh diocese passes from the Standing Committee to the new provisional bishop. It is expected that Price will serve Pittsburgh for 2–3 years until the diocese is ready to elect a new diocesan bishop.

In other business, the convention elected candidates to various positions (details here), approved all resolutions that came before it, and approved, with little discussion, the 10 changes to the diocese’s constitution and canons proposed by the Committee on Canons. (Constitutional changes require passage by two successive annual conventions to become effective.) The convention concluded with a Eucharist that included the ordination of Linda Tardy Wilson to the deaconate. Departing assisting bishop Bob Johnson preached at the service, which employed a choir drawn from a number of parishes.

The Pittsburgh convention was covered by Episcopal News Service, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

News for Week Ending 10/12/2009

noreply@blogger.com (Joan R. Gundersen) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:02:00 +0000

Women bishops in CoE dealt blow

The Church of England has, in principle, approved the consecration of women bishops, but implementation of that decision is proving controversial. In February, a committee was given the task of working out the necessary details. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) On October 8, 2009, that committee issued an interim report indicating that it had decided to make significant concessions to opponents of women bishops. It appears that the Church of England will not be able to have women bishops until at least 2014. Final recommendations by the committee will be reviewed by the General Synod next year. Additional details may be read in stories from Reuters and The Times.

Executive Council responds to Anglican covenant draft

Episcopal News Service reported October 8, 2009, that the Episcopal Church’s Executive Council has made an official response to the Anglican Consultative Council regarding the controversial Section Four of the Ridley Cambridge Draft of an Anglican covenant. Section Four, which is expected to undergo additional revisions, deals with enforcement of the covenant. The Executive Council report (available here), which is based on comments from General Convention deputations, is critical of the current version of Section Four of the covenant draft.

Court hands diocese major victory

Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas judge Joseph James handed the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh a major victory in the so-called Calvary lawsuit on October 6, 2009. At issue was the interpretation of paragraph 1 of the stipulation agreed to in October 2005 by Calvary Church and then bishop Robert Duncan and other diocesan leaders:

Property, whether real or personal (hereinafter “Property”), held or administered by the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (hereinafter “Diocese”) for the beneficial use of the parishes and institutions of the Diocese, shall continue to be so held or administered by the Diocese regardless of whether some or even a majority of the parishes in the Diocese might decide not to remain in the Episcopal Church of the United States of America. For purposes of this paragraph, Property as to which title is legitimately held in the name of a parish of the Diocese shall not be deemed Property held or administered by the Diocese.

In a terse 5-page opinion, Judge James ruled that the “Diocese” in the paragraph refers to the diocese recognized as the Diocese of Pittsburgh by The Episcopal Church. The decision means that diocesan property currently controlled by Duncan and his supporters must be surrendered to the Episcopalians. James ordered that all parties meet with the special master, who has been responsible for inventorying diocesan property. The special master is to report to the judge, after which James will “enter an appropriate order for the orderly transition of possession, custody, and control over said property.”

The Episcopal Diocese issued this statement October 6. Archbishop Robert Duncan responded with a pastoral letter October 7 to be read in the churches under his authority. Duncan began, “We lost.” Duncan emphasized that parish property is not directly affected by the court decision and indicated that an appeal is under consideration.

The story was covered by Episcopal News Service, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and other media outlets.