Thinking Anglicans

Pittsburgh: realignment challenged

Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh (PEP) has issued Realignment Reconsidered a point-by-point rebuttal to the 8-page handout from the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, Frequently Asked Questions About Realignment (both documents are PDF files).

The PEP press release: Pittsburgh Episcopal group disputes diocese’s defense of schism

…“Diocesan leaders have been telling parishes that realignment is both proper and innocuous; we believe it is neither,” explained Lionel Deimel, PEP board member and principal author of the new document. “Parishes who trust what they are being told—conveniently packaged by the diocese in “FAQ About Realignment”—risk losing both their parish property and their status within the Anglican Communion.”

According to the new document, “It is the position of The Episcopal Church, supported overwhelmingly by diocesan chancellors and legal scholars, that a diocese cannot properly remove its accession clause from its constitution, nor can it remove itself from The Episcopal Church.” PEP cites events in the Diocese of San Joaquin as evidence that The Episcopal Church will act boldly to protect its interests.

PEP hopes that “Realignment Reconsidered” will encourage Episcopalians in Pittsburgh to examine the risks and benefits of realignment more critically. “It is ironic,” suggests PEP secretary Alfred Mann, “that people want to break away from a church that is so tolerant of different views, but that toleration seems to be one of the characteristics of The Episcopal Church they most dislike.”

Lionel Deimel gives some background to the document here.

Some extracts from the document can be found at Episcopal Café.

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L Roberts
L Roberts
16 years ago

An excellent, well researched, thoughtful response.

Those who do not wish to be ‘realligned’ whether in TEC, the C of E, or any where else, MUST take action.

EmilyH
EmilyH
16 years ago

It is indeed unfortunate that San Joaquin did not have such a rebuttal. +Schofield required that on two successive sundays in November ’07 his pastoral letter be read to the congregations. http://www.sjoaquin.net/News/News.htm#Pastoral Letter Sadly, that letter contained several statements of assurance that, should San Joaquin leave, its place in the communion and its relationship to Canterbury assured through Southern Cone. The letter referenced a reliable source for this assurance. That reliable source could be no other than +Venables. Ruth Gledhill of The Times added to such assurance by more than implying, from her interview with +Venables, that the “plan”, (her… Read more »

BabyBlue
16 years ago

And while we’re speaking about truth, exactly how much is 815 spending on litigation and where are they getting all the money? We know, for example, that 815 is now not only paying millions for the litigation – but 815 has now added paying for the expenses to prop up the shadow congregations and a shadow diocese as well, including the hiring of clergy and a bishop. So if we add those expenses to the costs of litigation – exactly how much is now being spent and where are they getting all that money? If we are going to “have… Read more »

ettu
ettu
16 years ago

Forewarned is indeed forearmed. Thank goodness for Lionel Deimel and company and let us hope that those who have ears will not only hear but will listen with an open heart and then will act promptly.

Robert Ian Williams
Robert Ian Williams
16 years ago

Joan Gunderson, historian par excellence has done an excellent job….Bishop Duncan is in for a very rough ride.

EPfizH
EPfizH
16 years ago

Baby Blue brings up a good point…where are the monies coming from? Pittsburgh has not paid its assessment to 815 in years, but interestingly, funds that liberal congregations (other than Calvary) in Pittsburgh may have well been diverted from mission purposes, they might support, to pay Pittsburgh’s legal costs. The following: An Episcopalian in Pain: Reflections on the Diocese of Pittsburgh written by Pat Smith Wed. 05, 2007 http://episcopalbayarea.org/joomla/content/view/615/87/ Prior to the Pittsburgh convention, I searched for convention materials on their website. I found it quite interesting that they had adjusted their upcoming budget in the legal fees category. Due… Read more »

JCF
JCF
16 years ago

“And while we’re speaking about truth, exactly how much is 815 spending on litigation and where are they getting all the money?”

Are you preparing for your patricide “…but I’m an orphan!” defense, BabyBlue?

Virginia Gal
Virginia Gal
16 years ago

BabyBlue, You are a woman of great faith, articulate and have good taste in literature. But please remember that you came to the Episcopal Church in a parish that is steeped in a minority (for TEC) evangelical tradition. In the via media debate, you are decidedly Protestant. I see the PB, and the 815 staff, as aggressively preserving a way of life that is important to the majority of TEC members. I speak to you as a member of the only parish church in Truro and Fairfax Parishes that the revolutionary heroes saved – not the ones they deserted to… Read more »

ettu
ettu
16 years ago

As to the money issue raised by bb , in my opinion, it is reasonable for those who feel threatened – i.e. TEC – to use whatever resources are available. It seems silly for those opposed to TEC to try to “watch out” for TEC’s resources when they are not privy to all the information necessary to make an informed decision. Certainly they can ask for such information but much of it is already available in the public record and the rest is none of an outsider’s (really an opponent’s) business.

Robert Ian Williams
Robert Ian Williams
16 years ago

Quick aside : Gafcon have just published their programme in Jerusalem.

“Worship and exposition” is how several segments are labeled. Exposition of course means a sermon, and Bishop Iker will not be worshipping the Anglican Eucharistic elements!

counterlight
counterlight
16 years ago

I’m with JCF.
Talk about murdering your parents and then pleading for mercy because you’re an orphan!
If the congregations wanted to leave and start again in a new location in a new building there would be no problem. Indeed, ++Akinola and ++Orombi advised them to do that very thing.
The only reason any of this is in litigation is because these congregations want to leave with the real estate and the silver.

Lois Keen
16 years ago

Brava, Virginia Gal! Et tu, ettu!
Lois

Pete
Pete
16 years ago

Any time Duncan and his band of traitors and thieves say anything, just refer back to the Chapman Memo to get your bearings straight. The time for negotiation has long come and gone. TEC has gone the extra mile trying to come to terms with a group that has no honor and no shame. TEC should make it clear that if individuals want to leave, go in peace but the parish and the property remain with TEC. All clergy involved in this fiasco should be deposed and, if it were up to me, stripped of ALL pension (though I doubt… Read more »

Bob In PA
Bob In PA
16 years ago

PEP has been trying to counter the claims of this clergy led “we must realign,” movement. Without their voice and the voice of Calvary, St. Stephen’s and a few others, the clergy would lead the faithful, like lemmings over a cliff to ….. I was in a parish that has one of Duncan’s strongest supporters. At first I listened to this priest but my gut told me all was not as it seemed. I did a little exploring and I started to find out that the faithful were hearing one side and a very slanted version of reality. If TEC… Read more »

EPfizH
EPfizH
16 years ago

The ENS has reported an a story out of Africa on Kunonga’s excommunication which may have a bearing on cases of bishops and dioceses attempting to leave their provinces in Canada or the US. What is of interest is not that Kunonga and his followers have been excommunicated but the reasons offered for why. The ENS reported: “Chama said that he pronounces upon Kunonga ‘and all those who support him the sentence of Greater Excommunication, thereby separating them from the Church of the Province of Central Africa and the Anglican Communion, by the actions taken of withdrawing from the Province… Read more »

BabyBlue
16 years ago

“I see the PB, and the 815 staff, as aggressively preserving a way of life that is important to the majority of TEC members,” writes Virginia Gal. Hmm … Exile can be quite comfortable, warm and gracious, indeed. But it’s still not home. I am not orphaned, I am in exile. Yet there are times when I hear the elitism of Virginia Episcopalians who extend their little pinkies from their glasses of gin and tonics and whisper to one another disdainfully, “oh, dear me, thankfully we’re not like one of those.” More flock into exile. And still the elite whisper,… Read more »

Ford Elms
Ford Elms
16 years ago

“Kunonga’s excommunication”

How many Anglican excommunications have there been in the past 500 years? I have never heard of it, though I know it is quite allowable. While I deplore Kunonga’s actions, I can’t help but see in this an authoritarianism that is alien to me as an Anglican. All the same, good on ’em. Glad they did it, not at all comfortable with what it says about their understanding of power.

JCF
JCF
16 years ago

“bb 14th Generation Virginian and probably related to you. Unless, of course, you’re new in town.”

Oh, BabyBlue, do NOT go there (Unless, perhaps, you’d also like to share how many “generations of Virginians”, your ancestral 14 generations OWNED?)

choirboyfromhell
choirboyfromhell
16 years ago

Oh Baby Blue, I pale in comparision…I am not worthy of your presence..

Only the second generation in the USA… with two sides from Devonshire, and the other two from Wales.

Both sets of Grandparents talked with British accents (and my mother as well when she got angry). No, you don’t compare.

JPM
JPM
16 years ago

Since we are on the subject of money, perhaps BabyBlue can let us know who is footing the considerable legal bills of the Virginia Secessionists? Shysters don’t work cheap, so this little show is costing someone a pretty penny.

kieran crichton
kieran crichton
16 years ago

Well, the PEP pamphlet says a lot of things that need to be said, and about time too. I wonder what use it will be in more miopic quarters.

Oh, and JCF – don’t talk about the (Civil) War!!!

Bob In PA
Bob In PA
16 years ago

Baby Blue… we don’t do Gin but Single Malt Scotch, preferably Laphroaig or Talisker, Cadenhead Cask. As for 14 generations, I’ve got you beat.

As far as exile, my parish joined the network and basically pushed anyone who didn’t agree with their theology, out the door.

I guess this all depends on your perspective.

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