PROGRESSIVE EPISCOPALIANS OF PITTSBURGH
6393 Penn Avenue, PMB 207
Pittsburgh, PA 15206-4010
Contact:
Joan R. Gundersen, President
Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh
Telephone: +1 (412) 799-0440
E-mail: jrgunder@hotmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Progressive Episcopalians See Review Committee Action
As Providing Reconciliation Opportunity
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — January 16, 2008 — Progressive Episcopalians
of Pittsburgh (PEP) sees reason for hope in the statement issued yesterday by The
Episcopal Church’s Title IV Review Committee certifying that, in its view,
Bishop of Pittsburgh Robert Duncan has abandoned the communion of The Episcopal
Church. PEP believes that the canonical procedures set in motion by this
decision will clarify issues of polity that have become confused in this
diocese.
Under Canon IV.9, the House of Bishops will, at its fall meeting or at a
special meeting called earlier, give or withhold its consent for Presiding
Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to depose Bishop Duncan.
“The action of the Review Committee gives all of us in Pittsburgh serious cause
to reflect,” said Dr. Joan Gundersen, President of Progressive Episcopalians of
Pittsburgh. “This can be an opportunity for all of us to consider how we can
change course and restore relations with one another and with The Episcopal
Church.”
The Rev. Diane Shepard, First Vice President of PEP, commented, “We understand
that Bishop Duncan must follow his conscience regarding the kind of church he
believes is faithful to the Gospel. Whether he can resume his role in The
Episcopal Church or must relinquish it, we pray that he finds a way to serve
Christ’s Church in peace and good conscience.”
PEP is committed to a diocese that finds its strength in diverse understandings
of Christian faith and, as our Baptismal Covenant requires, respects the
dignity of every human being, ideas that exemplify The Episcopal Church at its
best. “Especially now, in this time of crisis, PEP encourages all Episcopalians
in the diocese to engage in dialogue about how we can move forward together. Some
people may choose to leave The Episcopal Church. We hope their number will be
few,” declared president Gundersen.
Contact:
Joan R. Gundersen, President
Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh
Telephone: +1 (412) 799-0440
E-mail: jrgunder@hotmail.com
On the Web:
This document:
http://progressiveepiscopalians.org/html/2008-01-16opportunity.html
Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh:
http://progressiveepiscopalians.org
The Episcopal Church:
http://episcopalchurch.org
Diocese of Pittsburgh:
http://www.pgh.anglican.org
Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh is an organization of clergy and
laypeople committed to the unity and diversity of The Episcopal Church, and of
the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. It is a member of the Via Media USA
alliance.
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