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Press Release - November 2, 2003
Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh Respond to Statements by
Bishop Duncan and Others on the Consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson
We are saddened by the announcement of impaired communion
with the Diocese of New Hampshire—signified by the refusal to recognize the
consecration of The Rev. Canon Gene Robinson as Bishop Co-adjutor—by Bishop
Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh and the diocesan bishops of fifteen other dioceses
of the Episcopal Church, USA (ECUSA), all members of the American Anglican
Council (AAC). Whereas the election of Canon Robinson has been controversial
throughout the Anglican Communion, it was in complete accordance with the
constitution and canons of the ECUSA, and it must be viewed as valid. We
appreciate that many Christians are deeply troubled by Bishop Robinson’s
acknowledged monogamous, non-celibate homosexual relationship. Even if one
accepts the claim that participating in such a relationship is sinful and
contrary to Biblical teaching, such a declaration of impaired communion is
uncalled for. The venerable Articles of Religion propounded by the
Church of England explicitly state that the sacramental actions of
an ordained person are valid even if that person is unworthy. Anglicans,
like other Christians, believe that all people, bishops included, are sinners.
To reserve episcopal posts for the sinless would be to abandon them altogether.
The bishops who signed the AAC statement disapprove of
the choice of bishop made by another diocese and seek to dictate to that
diocese what it can do. By declaring impaired communion with a sister diocese
in the Episcopal Church, USA, for nothing more than following the canonical
procedures for choosing a bishop, Bishop Duncan and the others have set themselves
above the canons of the ECUSA. Their declaration has no effect on the laity
of New Hampshire, Pittsburgh, or other dioceses, as communion in the Episcopal
Church is open to all baptized Christians. It is within Bishop Duncan’s power,
as long as he acts as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh of ECUSA,
to refuse to allow specific clergy (including Bishop Robinson) to preside
at services within this diocese. Pittsburgh clergy visiting elsewhere, however,
are free to follow their consciences.
Similarly, we note with sadness that the Primates of several
provinces in Africa and elsewhere have made clear their intention to declare
impaired communion with the Episcopal Church, USA, or parts thereof. In reality,
however, this also is of little actual consequence, as most of the provinces
in question already are in impaired communion with respect to the ECUSA and
have been for over a quarter century, as they refuse to recognize the validity
of women’s ordination as priests and bishops. With women constituting nearly
one-quarter of all Episcopal priests in the United States and with 11 women
serving as bishops, this would appear to be a more serious impairment to
Anglican collegiality than is the election of one non-celibate homosexual
male. In the Diocese of Pittsburgh, for example, more than 20% of the clergy
are women.
Furthermore, we reject any suggestion that the Episcopal
Diocese of Pittsburgh has become part of a new “network.” No such “network”
is provided for in the canons of the ECUSA, of which this diocese is a legal
component, nor has such a “network” been acknowledged by the Archbishop of
Canterbury. The declaration of such a “network” by the AAC is a public relations
gambit that indicates that Bishop Duncan and the other AAC leaders have ignored
the voice of the Anglican Primates. In their statement of October 16, 2003,
the Primates expressly affirmed the territorial integrity and independence
of all provinces within the Communion and requested that those provinces
make provision for episcopal oversight of parishes that did not wish to associate
themselves with those who supported the consecration of Bishop Robinson.
Although some had expected the Primates to support the creation of a new
province in their October statement, the Primates were pointedly silent on
this issue.
Although Bishop Duncan and the AAC have repeatedly declared
the ECUSA to be schismatic and to be ignoring the requests of the Anglican
Primates, in reality it is the AAC that is encouraging schism and ignoring
the recent Primates’ statement by announcing its “Network of Confessing Dioceses
and Parishes” to “serve as the core of the new Anglican realignment in the
United States.” They are ignoring the request of the Primates “not to act
precipitately” and to allow the provinces to develop plans for “adequate
oversight” of parishes of dissenting minorities. It is the task of the ECUSA
and of the Anglican Church of Canada, in consultation with the Archbishop
of Canterbury, to make these plans, not that of the AAC, which is interfering
with the Primates’ request through its aggressive and unilateral actions.
We join with the Archbishop of Canterbury “to pray for
wisdom, patience and courage as we move forward.” Moving forward, not backward,
is what we must do. V. Gene Robinson is now a bishop. It is time for us all
to acknowledge that fact and get about God’s work of bringing the Gospel
and justice to the world.
Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh (PEP) is an organization of clergy
and laity in the Diocese of Pittsburgh committed to the unity of the ECUSA
and of the Anglican Communion. PEP celebrates the identity that Anglicanism
finds in its style of worship, rather than in a specific set of beliefs beyond
the essentials of the Christian faith.
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The page was updated on October 31, 2003.
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Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh